Klinsmann tells Inter how to overturn 3-1 Bodo/Glimt scoreline: ‘Be patient’ – Football Italia

Jürgen Klinsmann, Manager of South Korea during the AFC Asian Cup semi final match between Jordan and South Korea at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on February 06, 2024 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

Jurgen Klinsmann has given his verdict ahead of Inter’s Champions League play-off round second leg against Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday evening, and has reflected on his own experiences of overturning a two-goal deficit in Europe with the Nerazzurri. 

Inter fell to a 3-1 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie against Bodo/Glimt last week, and will now need to win by at least two goals to keep the fixture alive in San Siro on Tuesday night. 

Klinsmann on Inter memories, Bodo/Glimt challenge and Esposito growth

Klinsmann knows full well what it is like to go into the second leg of a European match looking to overturn a two-goal deficit. Back in 1990, he and his Nerazzurri teammates responded to a 2-0 UEFA Cup loss against Aston Villa by winning 3-0 in San Siro in the reverse fixture. 

“It’s one of the games I’ll never forget, the biggest comeback of my career,” Klinsmann told La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

“After the first leg, nobody thought that we wouldn’t make it, in fact we were all convinced. You always have to start from there, from the optimism that convinces you to do great things. 

“The rest of the credit goes to the supporters in the stadium, because it was a simply incredible atmosphere. It was one of the most energetic matches I’ve ever been part of. I still remember the supporters waving all those flags.” 

Klinsmann believes that the current Inter squad could learn a few lessons from that famous night back in 1990. 

“It teaches you that you have to be patient and that you don’t necessarily have to score all the goals straight away. I scored one early, but we had to wait until midway through the second half for Berti’s second. Then, a little while later came that fabulous goal from Alessandro Bianchi. The roar was incredible.” 

Klinsmann believes that a lot of credit must go to the development of Norwegian football after Bodo/Glimt’s 3-1 victory over Inter last week. 

“Norwegian football has had an incredible development over the last 10 years. We don’t talk about it enough, but they will be the surprise team at the World Cup. There might be more experienced national teams who might win the whole thing, but Norway has everything to go the distance. Bodo/Glimt represents this movement very well.” 

Klinsmann believes it would be a mistake to underestimate Bodo/Glimt for a second time. 

“The biggest mistake would be to treat them as beginners,” he said. “They won’t be intimidated because they’re an excellent team with good results in Europe. They’re not just strong at home, they have the quality to give Inter trouble in Milan as well. 

“They will have to attack a lot, but without exposing themselves because they know how to punish you from the first opportunity.” 

Inter will have to do it without captain and leading centre-forward Lautaro Martinez, who is unavailable through injury on Tuesday night. Klinsmann is full of praise for the man who is expected to replace him, Pio Esposito, though. 

“Pio has already established himself, regardless of the role that he will have until the end of the season, whether that’s coming on or starting from the off. This guy has made it clear what he’s made of. 

“We hope that he is the man of destiny for our qualification, but we hope more than anything that he can grow even further. Finally, a strong Italian who gets a chance on the pitch. 

“I like him because he doesn’t know fear and he always has the right level of trust. If he misses, he is only ever frustrated with himself and not the teammate who passed him the ball. He can drag his team despite being 20 years old. But I expect the same leadership from other Inter players as well.”