Aspmyra Stadion sets the stage for the first leg of Inter Milan’s UEFA Champions League knockout playoff tie against Bodo/Glimt. The Nerazzurri continue their European journey in the Arctic Circle.

Bodo/Glimt bounced back from a dreadful six-game winless league-phase start (D3, L3) to secure a place in the knockout stages. Indeed, Kjetil Knutsen’s men pulled off two astonishing victories toward the end of the opening stage, beating Atletico Madrid and Manchester City to lock down a 23rd-place finish.

As a result, Bodo/Glimt could become the first-ever Norwegian side to win three consecutive Champions League matches. However, that task is nothing short of Herculean, as they take on a high-flying Inter side. However, the hosts can rely on harsh weather conditions and extremely low temperatures to unsettle the visitors.

Meanwhile, Inter must adapt to these extreme conditions, including a freezing pitch and sub-zero temperatures. Yet, Cristian Chivu’s men head into proceedings in high spirits after claiming bragging rights in Saturday’s Derby d’Italia. The Nerazzurri left it late to beat 10-man Juventus in a controversial 3-2 win at San Siro.

Star center-back Alessandro Bastoni came under heavy scrutiny after the game, receiving death threats on social media after tricking referee Federico La Penna into sending off Pierre Kalulu. Nevertheless, the Italian defender is likely to start tonight, as Inter seek a second successive clean sheet in the Champions League following a 2-0 win at Borussia Dortmund last time out.

Match Preview

Bodo/Glimt

A lack of competitive form could hamper Bodo/Glimt’s hopes of reaching the Champions League Round of 16 for the first time in the club’s history. Indeed, their last match dates back to late January, when they stunned Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium in the final round of the league phase.

However, it’s worth noting that the 2-1 win in Madrid extended Bodo/Glimt’s unbeaten run in all competitions to four matches (W3, D1). An incredible 3-1 win over Pep Guardiola’s Man City side at this venue forms part of that impressive streak.

Despite that sterling victory, it’s worth noting that Bodo/Glimt had three of their four previous home outings in this season’s Champions League group stage (D1), including a 3-2 defeat to Inter’s fellow Serie A rivals Juventus. Furthermore, they conceded at least two goals in five of their eight league-phase games.

Inter

Inter will take the field in a buoyant mood, looking to extend their formidable six-game winning run in all competitions. That superb sequence includes an away win over Dortmund in the Champions League. Chivu’s free-scoring side remarkably netted at least two goals in each of those six victories, averaging 3.33 goals per match.

Despite that triumph at Signal Iduna Park and a four-game winning start to this season’s competition, Inter missed out on a top-eight finish. However, they’ll be confident of qualifying for the Round of 16, as they enter this fixture amid a purple patch, having lost just one of their last 13 competitive matches (W11, D1).

Moreover, Inter won both previous meetings with Bodo/Glimt, emerging as 7-1 victors in a two-legged Cup Winners’ Cup tie back in 1978. Another high-scoring showdown could be on the cards, given that five of Inter’s last seven games across all competitions have featured over 2.5 total goals.

Team News

Given Bodo/Glimt’s relatively light schedule at the start of the new calendar year, it’s unsurprising that they’ve avoided major injury concerns ahead of this clash. Indeed, only Nigerian forward Gift Sunday and experienced midfielder Ulrik Saltnes will not be at Knutsen’s disposal.

Meanwhile, Inter will be without long-term absentee Denzel Dumfries. Despite being expected to start tonight, star midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu renewed his calf problem and will stay on the sidelines, alongside fringe ace Davide Frattesi. Therefore, Nicolo Barella is likely to operate as a deep-lying playmaker.

Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Potential Starting Lineups

Bodo/Glimt (4-3-3): Haikin; Sjovold, Gundersen, Bjortuft, Bjorkan; Evjen, Berg, Fet; Blomberg, Hogh, Hauge.

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Esposito.

Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Prediction

Home comforts may have a huge impact here, as the Bodo/Glimt players are used to the freezing Arctic conditions and the synthetic pitch. Inter could struggle to impose their usual attacking rhythm, and the hosts may well snatch a narrow victory or force a draw in this first-leg showdown.

Prediction: Draw