Bodo/Glimt continued their fairytale debut in the UEFA Champions League with a commanding 3-1 victory over Inter Milan in Wednesday’s knockout play-off first leg, as Danish striker Kasper Hogh scored once and assisted twice.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Norwegian champions had only just scraped into the knockout stage after shock wins over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in their final league-phase matches. They built on that momentum by adding last season’s finalists Inter to their growing list of high-profile scalps.
Playing on the artificial surface at the Aspmyra Stadion in northern Norway, the hosts made a bright start and went ahead in the 20th minute. A slick team move ended with Hogh’s clever flick inside the area setting up Sondre Brunstad Fet, who finished clinically to hand Bodo/Glimt the lead.
Inter responded on the half-hour mark through youngster Pio Esposito, who swivelled inside the box and fired home. The goal stood after a lengthy VAR review for a potential handball.
The Italian side nearly turned the game around immediately after the restart, but captain Lautaro Martinez saw his close-range effort bounce off the post.
The hosts regained control in the 61st minute, capitalising on Inter’s defensive lapse. Jens Petter Hauge blasted into the roof of the net after being set up by Hogh to restore Bodo/Glimt’s advantage.
Just three minutes later, the Norwegian side struck again. Patrick Berg released Ole Didrik Blomberg with a delicate dinked pass, and Blomberg squared for Hogh to tap into an empty net, sealing a memorable night for the home side.
Hogh’s latest contribution means he has now scored four goals in his last three Champions League appearances, following a brace against Manchester City and the winner that sank Atletico Madrid.
Inter, coached by Cristian Chivu and currently leading Serie A, will still believe they can overturn the deficit in the return leg at the San Siro next Tuesday. However, they struggled to impose themselves in Norway, with Carlos Augusto’s blocked effort from close range the closest they came to reducing the arrears despite late pressure.
Bodo/Glimt, Europa League semi-finalists last season, now head to Italy with a two-goal cushion and the prospect of a last-16 tie against either Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon if they complete the job.
