This is the 3rd Bodo Player to have to have send strong message across to Ange men
Bodo/Glimt Players Confident of Europa League Comeback, Dismiss Spurs’ Pressing Game Ahead of Decisive Second Leg
Bodo/Glimt players are exuding confidence ahead of the crucial second leg of their Europa League semi-final clash against Tottenham Hotspur, as they seek to overturn a 3-1 deficit in front of their passionate home supporters in Norway.
Despite trailing by two goals, the Norwegian side believes that the tie is far from over—and they’re aiming to expose what they see as weaknesses in Tottenham’s tactical approach.
Following Tottenham’s dominant display in the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, many fans and pundits alike expect the Premier League side to comfortably complete the job at Aspmyra Stadion. Spurs controlled large portions of the match and could have scored more had they taken their chances more ruthlessly. Nevertheless, Bodo/Glimt’s late goal kept the tie alive, offering them a glimmer of hope heading into the return leg.
Bodo/Glimt Players Downplay Spurs’ Pressing Tactics
In the build-up to Thursday’s decisive fixture, several Bodo/Glimt players have publicly expressed belief that Tottenham’s high-pressing strategy is not as formidable as it may appear. Speaking to Avisa Nordland, defender Fredrik Sjovold suggested that Spurs’ pressing game can be undone with simple, intelligent play.
“We just have to keep things simple and avoid silly mistakes,” Sjovold said. “If we don’t give the ball away cheaply, their press will collapse fairly quickly. Then we can create problems for them.”
Sjovold didn’t stop there—he went on to compare Tottenham’s pressing intensity to that of average sides in Norway’s Eliteserien, saying it’s not significantly stronger than what they face domestically.
“It’s a good team, no doubt—they’re very strong on the ball,” he acknowledged. “But their pressing isn’t better than what we see from mid-table Eliteserien teams. If we’re composed, we can play through it.”
Fellow defender Jostein Gundersen echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Tottenham’s pressure might not pose the same challenges they’re used to seeing in Norway’s top flight.
“Often, it’s actually more difficult to break down teams in the Eliteserien during those pressing phases,” Gundersen remarked, hinting at Bodo/Glimt’s comfort in dealing with that style of play.
Midfielder Ulrik Saltnes also chimed in, stating that he and his teammates have already identified flaws in Spurs’ approach and are confident they can exploit them in front of their home fans.
“Their pressing has gaps, and it’s something we’ve analyzed well,” Saltnes said. “We were able to spot weaknesses in the first leg, and I believe we can make even more out of those opportunities in the home game.”
Ange Postecoglou Remains Calm, Focused on Job at Hand
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, however, remains unfazed by the growing noise from the Bodo/Glimt camp. The Australian tactician is urging his players to maintain focus and deliver another composed performance to see the job through.
After the first leg, Postecoglou praised his team’s display and emphasized the importance of replicating that level of control in Norway.
“I think we’re in a strong position,” he said. “The players were excellent—disciplined at the back, sharp going forward, and we created plenty of chances. That’s the level we need to bring again. If we do, I’m confident we’ll progress.”
Though Bodo/Glimt may be attempting to play mind games and disrupt Tottenham’s rhythm ahead of the second leg, the message from the Spurs camp is clear: block out the noise, stay disciplined, and secure a place in the Europa League final.
With both teams fired up and the tie delicately balanced, the second leg promises to be an intense affair. For Tottenham, the key will be to manage the occasion and silence the Norwegian side early, while Bodo/Glimt will hope their belief, home crowd, and tactical adjustments are enough to spark a famous European comeback.