Champions League Shocker: Norwegian Underdogs Bodo/Glimt Stun Europe While Serie A Giants Crumble
Tuesday evening saw four additional clubs secure their places in the Champions League knockout phase, with Norwegian underdogs Bodø/Glimt among the qualifiers.
The previous season's Europa League semi-finalists needed to defend their 3–1 advantage against Inter Milan at the San Siro to reach the round of 16 in their maiden campaign in Europe's premier club tournament. Despite enduring intense pressure from Cristian Chivu's Inter side in the opening period, Bodø maintained their composure and actually increased their lead, potentially setting up another encounter with Manchester City in the following round.
Bodø's stunning knockout of the three-time champions will naturally grab the spotlight. However, there was little excitement to be found in Bayer Leverkusen's goalless draw with Olympiacos, which allowed the German club to advance to the round of 16 for consecutive seasons.
Below are four key takeaways from Tuesday evening's Champions League matches.
Jens Petter Hauge Ready to Return to Big Time
Jens Petter Hauge Ready to Return to Big Time
Bodø/Glimt's incredible journey marches on, and while numerous factors have contributed to transforming this Arctic Circle club into giant-killers of Europe's most prestigious teams, Kjetil Knutsen has certainly benefited from Jens Petter Hauge's exceptional attacking performances.
The forward moved to AC Milan in 2020 after emerging at Bodø, but his initial attempt at top-level football didn't pan out. Hauge rarely featured for the Rossoneri and struggled during a subsequent loan at Eintracht Frankfurt. His 2024 return to Bodø has revitalized the 26-year-old, who has become the standout performer in their remarkable Champions League run.
Knutsen's exceptional team didn't simply preserve their 3–1 lead at the legendary San Siro on Tuesday evening, but secured another unforgettable victory.
This squad doesn't depend solely on the unique challenges of their demanding home conditions, where Manchester City suffered a convincing defeat last month. They had already earned a draw away at Borussia Dortmund and triumphed against Atlético Madrid in Spain before shocking the Nerazzurri once again, with Hauge finding the net in all three away fixtures, adding to his six Champions League goals.
His San Siro goal was arguably the most straightforward of an otherwise brilliant collection, and his performances against Europe's elite clubs indicate he's prepared for another significant transfer once Bodø's extraordinary adventure concludes.
Start of Potentially Bleak Week for Italian Football
Start of Potentially Bleak Week for Italian Football
Even when Serie A clubs reached all three UEFA competition finals in 2022–23, concerns persisted about Italian football's trajectory.
These weren't tactical or strategic worries, but existential ones. Once the pinnacle of world football, Italian soccer has fallen behind its competitors for years, with many criticizing insufficient infrastructure investment and the shortage of top-tier Italian players developing at elite levels.
The Azzurri's Euro 2020 triumph proved to be misleading, as did Serie A's impressive European showing three seasons prior. Tellingly, Inter, Roma and Fiorentina all lost their respective finals that campaign.
Last week's disappointing Champions League results brought these concerns back to the forefront, with analysts calling for renewal. Inter, Atalanta and Juventus all suffered first-leg playoff defeats, and last season's beaten finalists have now joined Napoli in early elimination. La Dea and The Old Lady appear destined to follow on Wednesday evening.
Unless dramatic comebacks occur in Turin or Bergamo, Serie A will be absent from the final 16 for the first time since the Champions League's debut season in 1992–93.
Many hope this approaching milestone will spark necessary changes.
Life After Antoine Griezmann
Life After Antoine Griezmann
Indications suggest the 2025–26 campaign will mark Antoine Griezmann's final season with Atlético Madrid. The 34-year-old has consistently hinted at a possible Major League Soccer move, with recent speculation linking the 2018 World Cup champion to Orlando City, following Kaká's path.
If Griezmann leaves as anticipated, he'll depart the Spanish capital for the second time with an impressive reputation. While a major trophy has remained elusive, he's been instrumental in Atléti's Copa del Rey final appearance (provided they maintain their 4–0 lead over Barcelona next month). Thanks to Alexander Sørloth's hat-trick against Club Brugge securing progression, they also remain dark horses for continental glory.
Griezmann started alongside fellow striker Julian Álvarez in last week's first leg, but Diego Simeone, making several bold tactical decisions on Tuesday evening, chose to keep Sørloth over Griezmann after his former substitute scored twice against Espanyol over the weekend.
It's obvious that Sørloth offers a completely different threat compared to the elegant Frenchman, and the Norwegian's physical presence proved decisive against formidable Belgian opponents.
Brugge's Brandon Mechele endured a torrid evening against the imposing figure in red and white. Sørloth benefited from a classic Simon Mignolet error, but still became only the second Atlético Madrid player to net a Champions League hat-trick after Mario Mandžukić in 2014.
Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur now await in the round of 16.
Newcastle Tease Setting Champions League Record
Newcastle Tease Setting Champions League Record
Newcastle United entered their second-leg playoff encounter with a specific goal in mind.
After demolishing Qarabağ 6–1 in Baku the previous week, the Magpies had an opportunity to establish a new Champions League record for the largest knockout stage victory margin when the sides met at St. James' Park on Tuesday evening.
Bayern Munich's 12–1 aggregate demolition of Sporting CP in 2009 appeared genuinely threatened when Sandro Tonali and Joelinton put the home side 2–0 ahead within six minutes of the second leg. At that moment, the Magpies trailed Bayern's record by just four goals.
Unfortunately, the subsequent 84 minutes proved anticlimactic. Qarabağ showed commendable spirit, scoring twice to reduce the massive gap, but Newcastle still prevailed on the night through Kieran Trippier's second-half goal. Ultimately, they couldn't even match Paris Saint-Germain's double-digit aggregate from last season's playoffs, finishing with a 9–3 two-leg victory.
At least Eddie Howe could rest several key players before Everton's Premier League visit this weekend.