February 19, (THEWILL) — Bodo/Glimt recorded a stunning 3-1 victory over Inter Milan in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off, leaving the Norwegian side in a commanding position ahead of the second leg at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza next Tuesday.
Kasper Hogh was the defining presence for Kjetil Knutsen’s side, contributing two assists and a goal throughout the contest. Bodo took the lead 20 minutes in when Hogh’s backheel released Sondre Fet inside the Inter penalty area, and the forward finished with composure beyond Yann Sommer. Inter responded with intent, with Matteo Darmian striking the post before Nicolo Barella’s header was gathered safely by Nikita Haikin.
Cristian Chivu’s side drew level on the half-hour mark after Barella’s cross found Carlos Augusto, whose effort was blocked, the ball falling for Francesco Pio Esposito to convert. Lautaro Martinez then rattled the post within a minute of the second half resuming, and Inter continued to press for a goal that would give them the initiative.
That pressure proved costly. In the 61st minute, Jens Petter Hauge drove a left-footed effort into the near post after Hogh’s weighted pass put him in position. Three minutes later, Fet’s lofted delivery released Ole Didrik Blomberg in behind the Inter defence, and Blomberg unselfishly squared for Hogh to finish into an empty net.
Inter, beaten finalists in 2025, now face a significant challenge if they are to overturn a two-goal deficit in Milan. Bodo travel to Italy with genuine confidence following a performance that will be remembered as one of the club’s finest European nights in a series of impressive matches this season.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
