Pep Guardiola praises Bodo/Glimt grit as Manchester City slump to Champions League defeat
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looking dejected on the team bus after their 3-1 Champions League defeat by Bodo/Glimt at the Aspmyra Stadion on Jan 20.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BODO – Following a Cinderella run to the semi-finals of the 2024-25 Europa League, many in Norwegian football thought that might be as good as it got for Bodo/Glimt.
But the team from inside the Arctic Circle proved their doubters wrong with a stunning 3-1 Champions League win over Manchester City on Jan 20.
At home in the Aspmyra Stadion, Bodo coach Kjetil Knutsen got his tactics spot on and his players delivered on the plan as they suckered City into conceding three times on the break.
“Defensively they are incredible – the same manager for the last six, seven years, the same players, and that gives consistency in what they have to do, so full respect,” City manager Pep Guardiola told reporters after the humiliating defeat.
“I know that the people can be different, but last season they reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, that means they’re a top, top team.”
The Spaniard emphasised that he did not underestimate the Norwegians, but he did leave experienced players on the bench as he started a relatively young team, and his decision to gamble on a high defensive line proved a losing one as Bodo’s counter-attacks were effective.
The home side made the most of their opportunities, eventually cantering to victory with a squad worth a fraction of what their visitors’ cost.
“They close (down) incredibly inside, you have to go outside and outside, and we don’t have players to make a one against one, or make a movement in behind, and that’s why we struggled a little bit,” Guardiola explained.
“But in general, as a traditional team, like most of the teams in Northern Europe, they are really good, so congratulate them. We cannot say anything else.”
Guardiola’s side were blown away by Kasper Hogh’s first-half brace and a second-half strike from Jens Petter Hauge. Rayan Cherki got one back moments after Hauge’s goal, but Rodri’s dismissal after two bookings left City in tatters as Bodo celebrated their first-ever win in the league phase of the Champions League.
“It’s a little bit soft, the second one (yellow card), but it is what it is. But yeah, at that moment (when we made it) 3-1... everything is a little bit against us,” Guardiola added.
The City boss also struck a despairing tone as he discussed the reasons for City’s slump. The defeat came after they lost 2-0 to rivals Manchester United in the English Premier League
“Everything has started to be, since the new year, against us in many, many things,” he said.
“We arrived in some departments without important players who give consistency to the team. They are a little bit fragile, as they were last season in a certain period.”
City’s only victories in 2026 have come against third-tier Exeter City in the FA Cup and Newcastle United in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final
“Bodo fully deserved to win, it’s not good enough. They play fantastic football. I don’t know what we can do differently, we did our best,” City striker Erling Haaland told Norway’s TV2.
“I think we played well until they score the first goal, and then they score again, and then Jens scores an all-time great goal and we get a red card.”
Knutsen, meanwhile, was thrilled with his side’s remarkable victory.
“It’s a historical moment for this group. It’s the first victory in the Champions League, it is amazing,” he said.
“City are one of the best teams in the world, and I think today we are on a highest level. First of all, I think we defended well... we are a very good team and I think we showed today we are able to do things like this.
“We counter-attacked with a lot of intensity.” REUTERS, AFP
