After Atletico Madrid and Manchester City, another giant felt the power of northern Europe. The unreal Bode/Glimt, a team that welcomes rivals within the Arctic Circle, taught Inter a lesson in football.
The Norwegian team won the first match of the playoffs by a big score of 3:1.
Wednesday brought another spectacular match - Club Brugge and Atletico Madrid drew 3-3, setting up a rematch in Madrid. Bayer Leverkusen is also one step away from the round of 16, having defeated Olympiacos in Piraeus (2-0) in three minutes through Patrick Schick.
If anyone didn't know how Bode/Glimt plays until tonight, they could see for themselves with the first goal against Inter. A video game-like move that Sondre Fet finished - 1:0.
The Nerazzurri reacted quickly, and Francesco Pio Esposito showed that he is growing into a great striker - he cleverly scored for 1:1 and became the second youngest Inter player (after Obafemi Martins) to score in the knockout stage of the Champions League.
After that, Inter was the better rival, but Bode quickly started his attacking game, and Jens Peter Hauge's bomb and Kasper Heg's three-minute goal demolished Inter.
A great match was played between Brugge and Atletico. The Colchoneros led 2:0 through Julian Alvarez and Ademola Lukman, but the hosts came back through Rafael Onyedika and Nicol Tresoldi. When it seemed that an own goal by Brugge defender Joel Ordonez would decide the match, Christos Tsolis made it 3:3 in the 89th minute.
Champions League, play-offs
Bode/Glimt - Inter 3:1
Fet 20, Hauge 61, Heg 64 - Espozito 30.
Club Brugge - Atletico M. 3:3
Onjedika 51, Tresoldi 60, Colis 89 - Alvares 8, Lukman 45'+4, Ordonjez 79. ag.
Olympiacos - Bayer Leverkusen 0:2
Chic 60, 63.
Karabag - Njukasl 1:6
Jafarguliyev 57 - Gordon 3, 32nd pen, 33rd, 45th pen, Chow 9, Murphy 72.
The end in northern Europe - a big victory for Bode/Glimt against the giants of Inter (3:1).
89' - Spectacular match in Bruges, the home team reaches 3:3, the scorer is Christos Colis.
87' - Bode/Glimt still have a big 3:1 leadInter is trying, now the game is only in the home half, but there is a lack of real action from "Nera Razor". At the same time, the Norwegian team looks dangerous on the counterattack.
79' - What a misfortune for Joel OrdonezThe Club Brugge stopper clumsily shook his net, thus nullifying the great effort of his teammates who came from 0:2 to 2:2.
Atletico again has the advantage in Belgium (2:3).
63' - The net finally shook in Piraeus, twice in just three minutes. Patrik Schick silenced Piraeus in the 60th and 63rd minutes. Bayer leads 2:0 against Olympiacos.
60' - Meanwhile, Club Brugge is also playing great football.The Belgian giants came from 0:2 to 2:2 against Atletico - the new goal was scored by Nicolo Tresoldi.
64' - Spectacular in Norway! Bode/Glimt scores another goal, Inter is knocked downKasper Heg scored the 3:1 goal.
61' - Bode/Glimt is incredibleThe Norwegians were persistent, they played openly as always and took the lead again against their big rival.
Hauge scored, Bode/Glimt - Inter 2:1.
51' - Brugge returnsAfter a huddle and a save by Jan Oblak, Rafael Onjedika put the ball into the Atleti net (1:2).
50' - The game is open in northern Europe, but for now it remains 1:1 between Boda/Glimt and Inter.
"Nera Azzurri" striker Francesco Pio Esposito has been playing brilliantly this season, and with his goal against the Norwegians at the age of 20 years and 253 days, he became Inter's second youngest scorer in history when it comes to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The youngest is Obafemi Martins.
The first halves of the matches that started at 21 p.m. have ended.
Bode/Glimt took the lead against Inter after a nice move and a goal by Feta, but Esposito tied the score at 1:1.
Atletico Madrid leads in Bruges - the "Colchoneros" have a 2:0 lead, although it seems that the home team did not play that badly.
After the first 45 minutes, there were no goals in Piraeus in the match between Olympiacos and Bayer Leverkusen.
45'+4 - Atletico Madrid scores another goal, and Ademola Lukman shows he will be a great addition. With a goal from the Nigerian, the "Kolčonerosi" lead 2:0 against Bruges.
30' - Express response from InterChristian Kivu's team equalized against Boda/Glimt, after Francesco Pio Esposito showed how resourceful he is in the penalty area.
25' - Great chance for Inter - Matteo Darmian hit the post. Shortly after, another nice move by "NeraRazor", but Barela shot poorly.
20' - What an action, what a goal from Bode/Glimt against the giants from ItalyThe Norwegian team leads 1-0 against Inter, after Sondre Fet crowned the home team's video game-like performance.
8' - Atletico Madrid scores first - Julián Álvarez scored from a perfectly executed penalty after referee Nyberg pointed to the white spot with a suggestion from the VAR room. "Colçoneros" lead in Brugge (1:0).
1' - The matches have started in Bode, Piraeus and Bruges...
Three matches starting at 21pm are about to start, and one has already finished - Newcastle crushed Qarabag 6-1.
With victories over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, along with a draw in the match with Borussia Dortmund, the miracle from northern Europe reached the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Bode/Glimt is already one of the stories that marked this year's European elite, and as a reward for everything done, the match against Inter in the playoffs arrived.
The Nerazzurri are certainly favorites, but they know there is no room for complacency against a great team from the Arctic Circle.
The second night of the playoffs brings two more matches - Atletico Madrid plays away to the always tricky Club Brugge, and Bayer Leverkusen faces Olympiacos and the hellish Piraeus.
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