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By Goli Innocent
Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt continued their fairytale UEFA Champions League debut with a commanding 3-1 victory over Italian giants Inter Milan in their knockout play-off first leg on Wednesday night.
Kasper Hogh was the architect of the famous win, scoring once and providing two assists as Kjetil Knutsen’s side added another European heavyweight to their growing list of scalps. Having stunned Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the league phase, the Norwegians once again showed fearless ambition on home soil.
The hosts struck first in the 20th minute when Sondre Brunstad Fet finished clinically after latching onto Hogh’s clever flick inside the area. Inter responded on the half-hour mark through youngster Pio Esposito, whose sharp turn and finish survived a lengthy VAR review for handball.
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Inter nearly took control after the break when Lautaro Martinez rattled the post from close range. Instead, Bodo/Glimt regained the lead in the 61st minute as Jens Petter Hauge powered into the roof of the net following another incisive pass from Hogh.
Three minutes later, the Norwegian side delivered a decisive blow. Patrick Berg’s delicate through ball released Ole Didrik Blomberg, who unselfishly squared for Hogh to tap into an empty net and complete a devastating counter-attack.
Inter pushed late on, with Carlos Augusto going closest, but the Serie A leaders struggled on the artificial surface in Bodo. With a two-goal cushion heading to the San Siro, the Norwegian champions have given themselves a genuine chance of reaching the last 16 in what is rapidly becoming one of the competition’s most remarkable campaigns.
