In a shocking upset that rocked European football, Manchester City suffered a bitter defeat against their modest Norwegian hosts Bodø/Glimt, losing 3-1 in an exciting match on Tuesday evening at the Asprimä Stadium, as part of the Champions League group stage.
A historic night in Norway and a nightmare for Guardiola
This match was more than just another defeat for the English champions; it highlighted the turmoil the team is experiencing under the leadership of Spanish coach Pep Guardiola. This loss only adds to the Citizens' woes and deepens their wounds, especially coming just days after their painful 2-0 defeat in the Manchester derby against arch-rivals Manchester United in the Premier League last Saturday. This raises serious questions about the players' mental and physical condition at this crucial stage of the season.
On the other hand, Bodø/Glimt etched their name in gold in the history of the continental competition, as this victory marks the Norwegian team's first-ever win in the UEFA Champions League. This historic win not only secured them three points but also kept their hopes alive, however slim, of qualifying for the knockout stages, achieving a feat that will forever be etched in the memories of their fans.
Details of the fall and the knockout blow
The home side entered the match without any fear of their formidable opponents, and Bodø/Glimt managed to finish the first half with a stunned 2-0 lead. The goals were both scored by the brilliant Danish striker Kasper Hauge, who capitalized on City's defensive lapses, netting two goals in quick succession in the 22nd and 24th minutes, disrupting Guardiola's plans early on.
In the second half, the Norwegian side continued their attacking onslaught, with Jens Petter Hauge adding a third goal in the 58th minute, making the task even more difficult for the visitors. Although Rayan Cherki managed to pull one back for Manchester City just two minutes later, any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed.
City suffered the knockout blow in the 62nd minute when captain Rodri was shown a straight red card after receiving his second yellow. This expulsion forced the English side to finish the match with ten men, effectively ending any serious attempts to get back into the game and confirming the Norwegian team's deserved three points.
The two teams' positions in the standings
With this result, and before the remaining matches of the round were completed, Manchester City's points tally remained at 13, placing them fourth in the 36-team league table. This position still guarantees direct qualification but puts the team under pressure to maintain it. Meanwhile, Bodø/Glimt increased their points to 6, moving up to 26th place and reviving their chances of advancing.
Manchester City are scheduled to conclude their league matches with a tough home game against Galatasaray of Turkey, while Bodø/Glimt will be a heavy guest for Atlético Madrid of Spain in an attempt to continue their surprise run.
