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Why Tottenham Shouldn’t Underestimate Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League Semifinals
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Why Tottenham Shouldn’t Underestimate Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League Semifinals. |
Tottenham Hotspur fans might have breathed a sigh of relief when Lazio got knocked out of the Europa League. A trip to Rome’s intimidating Stadio Olimpico turned into a journey to the quiet, snowy town of Bodø in Norway. Sounds easier, right? Not so fast.
On paper, Bodø/Glimt might look like underdogs. They’re not a European giant, and their town could only fill about two-thirds of Spurs' stadium. But underestimating this Norwegian side could be a serious mistake. They’ve proven time and again that they deserve their place among Europe’s best this season.
A Team Full of Surprises
Let’s start with their backstory. This is a club whose fans once brought giant yellow toothbrushes to games, honoring a fan from the 70s who asked for a megaphone and got a toothbrush instead. They've even thrown fishcakes on the pitch to protest VAR. Yes, they’re quirky—but they’re also deadly serious on the field.
Bodø/Glimt’s journey to the Europa League semifinals is historic—not just for the club, but for all of Norwegian football. No Norwegian team has ever gone this far in a European tournament.
Their Resume Speaks Volumes
Don’t be fooled by their underdog status. Bodø/Glimt have dominated the Norwegian Eliteserien in recent years, winning four of the last five titles and finishing second in the other. They’ve taken down big names on the way to the semifinals—beating the likes of Porto, Twente, Besiktas, Olympiakos, and most recently, Lazio.
Their first-leg performance against Lazio was especially impressive. They won the expected goals battle 3.02 to 0.38 and should have put the tie away before the second leg. Even when things got tough in Rome, they fought back with a 109th-minute equalizer and held their nerve in a penalty shootout.
Dominant at Home
Since last May, Bodø/Glimt have only lost twice at home across all competitions. Their pitch might be artificial, and the weather might be cold, but those conditions have become a fortress for them. In the Champions League qualifiers, they went unbeaten at home before falling short away to Crvena zvezda.
A Tactical, Patient Team
Bodø/Glimt aren’t just gritty—they’re smart. They average 51.8% possession in the Europa League and complete 437 passes per game. Only five teams complete more. Their build-up play is patient and effective, with open-play passing sequences averaging 11.6 seconds—second only to Manchester United.
But they’re not slow and predictable. They also know how to attack directly, averaging 2.0 direct attacks per game—the highest in the tournament. They've scored more goals (five) from those attacks than anyone else.
Dangerous Players Across the Pitch
From winger Jens Petter Hauge’s dribbling (5.9 attempts, 2.4 successful per 90 minutes) to left-back Fredrik Bjørkan’s aggressive runs (2.1 successful dribbles per 90), their left flank is a constant threat. They’re also lethal from corners—scoring more goals from set pieces than any other team in the competition.
Although they take fewer shots than most teams (ranked 25th of 36), they make their chances count. Their expected goals (xG) per shot of 0.13 is among the best in the Europa League. No wonder they average 1.9 goals per game—fourth best in the tournament. Striker Kasper Høgh leads the goal tally with seven.
Setbacks Before the Semis
That said, Bodø/Glimt will be missing key players for the first leg in London. Captain and set-piece specialist Patrick Berg, midfielder Håkon Evjen, and impact sub Andreas Helmersen are all suspended. Center-back Odin Bjørtuft is nursing a groin injury, and winger Ole Didrik Blomberg hasn't played since the Lazio game.
These absences could hurt them. Beating Spurs—especially away—will be their toughest challenge yet. But if this season has taught us anything, it’s that Bodø/Glimt are more than capable of beating the odds.
Don’t Count Them Out
Tottenham might think they got lucky avoiding Lazio, but underestimating Bodø/Glimt would be a huge mistake. This is a team that’s full of fight, quality, and confidence. They’ve already taken down bigger names—and they could do it again.
If Spurs aren’t careful, the story of this Europa League season could be written in Norwegian yellow.
Barcelona vs Inter Milan Score Prediction: Clash of Giants in Champions League Semifinal!
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Barcelona vs Inter Milan Score Prediction: Clash of Giants in Champions League Semifinal! |
Get ready for a blockbuster match this week! Barcelona will host Inter Milan in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals — a showdown that brings back memories of the iconic 2010 battle when José Mourinho sprinted across the Camp Nou after knocking out Barca.
Now it’s Simone Inzaghi’s turn to try and recreate that legendary moment. But can Inter really stop a red-hot Barcelona side? Let’s break it all down in this match preview and score prediction!
Backstory & Current Form
This isn’t just another semifinal—it’s a rematch filled with history and high stakes.
Inter Milan are heading into this clash in less-than-stellar form. They haven’t won in their last three games, they’ve slipped in the Serie A standings, and they’re out of the Coppa Italia. In short, their season now rides entirely on the Champions League.
Barcelona, on the other hand, are flying high! Under Hansi Flick, they just lifted the Copa del Rey after an intense win over Real Madrid and remain top of the LaLiga table. A treble-winning season? Still very much on the table.
Key Players to Watch
-
Lamine Yamal
The 17-year-old wonderkid is having a breakout season. He’s not just creative — he’s become Barcelona’s go-to attacker, already scoring 4 goals and providing 3 assists in this UCL campaign. -
Pedri & Raphinha
Pedri scored a screamer in the Copa final and looks in great form. Raphinha will need to sharpen up his finishing after a shaky performance in front of goal last weekend. -
Lautaro Martínez (Inter)
Inter’s star striker has netted 8 times in the Champions League this season and will be looking to break through Barca’s high backline with his killer instincts. -
Nicolo Barella & Federico Dimarco
Barella is one of the best box-to-box midfielders when in form, but Inter’s midfield has looked tired recently. Dimarco or Carlos Augusto could be key in wide areas to help stretch Barca’s defense.
Team News
Barcelona will be without Robert Lewandowski due to injury, so Ferran Torres is expected to lead the line just like he did in the Copa del Rey final. Marc Casadó, Marc Bernal, and possibly Alex Balde are also out. On the bright side, Marc-André ter Stegen could return to the bench after a long injury spell.
For Inter, the big concern is Marcus Thuram, whose fitness remains uncertain. Benjamin Pavard has already been ruled out.
Barcelona vs Inter Milan Score Prediction
Barça have been in dominant form, especially at home, and Saturday’s win over Real Madrid should give them a big confidence boost. Still, Inter have shown they’re a different beast in Europe and could make this tie interesting.
Prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Inter Milan
Expect a tight match, with Barcelona edging it at home — but this one is far from over ahead of the second leg in Milan.
Barcelona vs Inter Milan in the Champions League semifinals isn’t just a game—it’s a battle of history, tactics, and big moments. Will the Blaugrana keep dreaming of the treble, or will Inter stun Europe once again?
Got a prediction of your own? Who do you think will shine in this high-stakes clash?
Arteta Confident Arsenal Can Make a Comeback Against PSG in Champions League Second Leg
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Arteta Confident Arsenal Can Make a Comeback Against PSG in Champions League Second Leg. |
Arsenal may be trailing 1-0 to Paris Saint-Germain after the first leg of their Champions League semifinal, but Mikel Arteta believes his team can pull off something special in the return leg in Paris next week.
Tuesday night at the Emirates didn’t start the way Arsenal fans hoped. Just four minutes in, Ousmane Dembele scored for PSG, giving the French champions an early lead. Still, the Gunners weren’t short on chances.
Mikel Merino had a second-half header disallowed for offside, and PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma delivered a standout performance, denying several big opportunities.
To put it in perspective, this was the first time Arsenal failed to score in a Champions League home game since a 2-0 loss to Barcelona back in February 2016. In fact, aside from their EFL Cup clash with Newcastle in January, this was one of the rare games this season where they had multiple big chances (three total) but couldn’t find the net.
Even with the loss, Arteta is staying positive. “This is only halftime,” he told reporters after the match. “My message to the team is the same as it was when we beat Real Madrid 3-0 at home. We have to go to Paris and win. We’re fully capable of doing that.”
He added, “I saw two great teams out there. The difference was in the details—PSG were more clinical in front of goal, and their keeper made some key saves. If we want to reach the Champions League final, we’ve got to do something special. That moment has to happen in Paris.”
According to Opta’s supercomputer, Arsenal now have a 27% chance of reaching the final, compared to PSG’s 73%. But percentages don’t play the game—players do.
This semifinal appearance is Arsenal’s first since 2009, when they lost to Manchester United. And they haven’t been in a Champions League final since 2006. With the Premier League title already out of reach—Liverpool officially clinched it last weekend—this is Arsenal’s last shot at a trophy this season.
That puts added pressure on Arteta, who hasn’t delivered any major silverware since the 2020 FA Cup win.
When asked if the tie is still 50-50, Arteta responded, “I’m not sure about the percentage, but I know we still have a strong chance of making the final. If you want to do something big in this tournament, the time is now—and that moment will be in Paris.”
Cody Gakpo Receives FA Warning Over Goal Celebration After Liverpool’s Title Win
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Cody Gakpo Receives FA Warning Over Goal Celebration After Liverpool’s Title Win. |
Cody Gakpo, one of Liverpool’s standout players this season, is reportedly getting a warning from the Football Association (FA) after his celebration during the Reds' big 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
In that match, which sealed Liverpool’s Premier League title, Gakpo scored and celebrated by taking off his shirt to reveal a vest that said “I belong to Jesus.” He did it again during the post-game trophy celebrations, once more removing his jersey.
Normally, taking off your shirt after scoring just leads to a yellow card, but in this case, the FA took issue with the message on his undershirt. According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), players aren’t allowed to display political, religious, or personal messages on their gear during matches.
Still, Gakpo won’t be hit with any serious punishment. According to The Mail, the FA is expected to issue him a warning and move on—no fine, no suspension. So he’ll be free to keep playing for Liverpool through the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah won’t be punished either, even though he grabbed a phone from a staff member to snap a quick selfie with the Anfield crowd after scoring. The FA decided not to take any action against him.
Liverpool are now preparing to celebrate their record-tying 20th English top-flight title with a tour that kicks off this weekend at Chelsea. Then they’ll host title rivals Arsenal at Anfield, followed by games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace to wrap up a historic campaign.
Gakpo has played a big part in that success, racking up nine goals and four assists in the Premier League this season.