Inter Milan vs Bodo/Glimt preview, team news and prediction

Inter were stunned in the Champions League last week in Norway against Bodo/Glimt and now have a mountain to climb at the San Siro as they look to secure a place in the round of 16

Inter Milan face a daunting task at San Siro on Tuesday night as they look to overturn a two-goal deficit against Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of their Champions League playoff. The Nerazzurri were stunned 3-1 in Norway last week, leaving them with a mountain to climb if they are to reach the last 16, where either Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon await.

The first leg at Aspmyra Stadion proved challenging for Inter, who struggled on Bodo’s artificial pitch and in freezing conditions. Despite their pedigree as three-time European champions and recent finalists, Inter were outplayed by a Bodo side making their knockout stage debut. Sondre Fet capped off a slick 16-pass move to give the hosts the lead, and although Francesco Pio Esposito equalized for Inter, second-half goals from Jens Petter Hauge and Kasper Hogh put Bodo firmly in control and ended Inter’s impressive away run.

Inter’s journey to the playoffs was marked by inconsistency—they won their first four league-phase games, conceding just once, but then suffered three straight defeats. Rookie coach Cristian Chivu, a member of Inter’s legendary 2010 treble-winning squad, has come under scrutiny for his team selections, particularly after resting key players in Norway.

Historically, Inter have been strong in two-legged European ties, winning 10 and losing just two of their last 16 Champions League knockout matches (excluding finals). However, overturning a two-goal deficit is rare territory for the Nerazzurri; they have only managed a two-goal winning margin in six of their 52 knockout ties, and have never come back from such a deficit in the latter stages. The last team to recover from a two-goal away loss in the first leg was Liverpool’s famous 2019 comeback against Barcelona—since then, 11 teams have tried and failed.

Despite their European predicament, Inter remain in pole position domestically, riding a seven-match winning streak in Serie A. Their latest victory, a 2-0 win at Lecce with late goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Manuel Akanji, temporarily sent them 10 points clear at the top of the table.

Bodo/Glimt, meanwhile, continue to defy the odds in their first Champions League campaign. After a shaky start—failing to win any of their first six group games—they surged into the playoffs with back-to-back wins, including a 3-1 triumph over Manchester City and a 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid. Their recent win over Inter made them the first Norwegian club to record three consecutive victories in Europe’s premier competition, and they now stand on the brink of becoming the first Eliteserien side to progress from a knockout tie since Lillestrom in 1987.

Although recently dethroned as Norwegian champions, Kjetil Knutsen’s men have been able to focus fully on their European adventure, with the domestic league in its winter break. Under Knutsen’s guidance since 2018, Bodo have claimed four domestic titles and earned memorable continental wins over the likes of Celtic, Porto, Lazio, and Roma. Last season, they reached the Europa League semi-finals, only falling to eventual winners Tottenham Hotspur, and have won six of their last eight two-legged European ties.

Much has changed since Inter’s dominant 7-1 aggregate victory over Bodo in the 1978-79 Cup Winners’ Cup, when the Italian giants cruised to a 5-0 win in Milan. This time, Inter must summon all their European experience and attacking firepower if they are to avoid an early Champions League exit at the hands of the Norwegian upstarts.

Inter Milan vs Bodo/GlimtPrediction

18+ | Gamble responsibly | gambleaware.org | Odds subject to change

Football Betting Offers

If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site.

Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here.

Full terms and conditions apply | gambleaware.org | Gamble responsibly | 18+ | UK only

READ MORE: Free Bets & Bookmaker Sign Up Offers

Gamble responsibly

Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.

We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit gambleaware.org.