Inter Milan - Bodo/Glimt (first leg 1-3): Where is the resilience of the reigning runner-up?

SportPulse

26/02/2026 16:58:26 SportPulse

Throughout their European campaign history, Inter has twice managed to come back after losing the first leg by two goals, though the most recent occasion was 36 years ago. Will they be able to pull off a third comeback when facing a relatively small club like Bodo/Glimt?

Inter should have entered tonight’s match at San Siro with more confidence than ever, as this is the first time this season they can fully focus on continental competition without Serie A distractions. Having secured a 10-point lead over Milan practically means an early league title, but the Champions League tells a different story.

The heavy price of complacency

The 1-3 defeat in the first leg in Norway dealt a severe blow to Inter’s Champions League ambitions, ironically caused by their own overconfidence. Coach Cristian Chivu, despite leading the Nerazzurri to Serie A dominance, appeared too complacent by fielding a less than strongest lineup. He left star performer Federico Dimarco and the young defender Yann Bisseck on the bench for the entire 90 minutes, prioritizing rotation to preserve strength for domestic challenges. The result? Inter collapsed after conceding two quick goals within four minutes in the second half from sharp counterattacks by Bodo/Glimt and failed to recover.

The frozen artificial turf and harsh weather might explain part of it, but Chivu admitted: "We have no excuses for this loss. We should have played better." This complacency now forces Inter to win by at least a two-goal margin in the return leg to push the tie into extra time, or by three goals to qualify directly for the round of 16 — a daunting task for any major club.

Historically, Inter has twice overcome a 2-goal deficit in knockout European ties. The first instance was in the 1964-65 European Cup semi-finals (the predecessor to the Champions League). Then, as defending champions, Inter lost 1-3 at Liverpool’s Anfield in the first leg but triumphed 3-0 at San Siro in the return. The second time was in the 1990-91 UEFA Cup second round (the forerunner of the Europa League), where Inter lost 0-2 away at Aston Villa but won 3-0 at home. Notably, in both comebacks, the Nerazzurri went on to win the trophy.

Though these memories are distant, history will serve as encouragement for Chivu’s squad in tonight’s unusual challenge. Bodo/Glimt cannot be considered equals to Inter in all aspects; arguably, they are no stronger than teams like Como or Atalanta who have fallen at San Siro this season. Yet, they boast excellent form, strong mentality, and a valuable 2-goal advantage.

Can Inter overturn a 2-goal first-leg deficit for the third time?

Will Dimarco be the key to victory?

In the comeback effort, Federico Dimarco is expected to be the decisive factor. He was benched for the entire first leg, during which Inter’s attack was extremely ineffective. This was seen as a mistake by Chivu, but tonight he will definitely start. Dimarco’s form is at a peak, having contributed to goals in six consecutive matches, totaling 10 goals in the past month. His crossing, long-range shooting, and especially his lethal corner kicks will be crucial weapons to break down the deep defensive block of the Norwegian side.

However, Inter faces difficulty due to the absence of captain Lautaro Martinez, injured in the first leg. Chivu will have to rely on the youthful energy of Francesco Pio Esposito, who has been in excellent form recently, to partner with Thuram or Ange-Yoan Bonny. Esposito has consistently scored in Serie A matches, and his enthusiasm is vital in a game demanding relentless attacking intensity.

Bodo/Glimt will certainly adopt a defensive approach with many players behind the ball, waiting for counterattack chances. Inter’s defense must stay alert to avoid conceding a swift counter like in the first leg. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer, after recent errors, needs to regain full concentration, as conceding an early goal tonight could end all hopes for the home team.

This is the moment for Chivu to prove his coaching experience. He must demonstrate that learning from predecessors like Conte and Simone Inzaghi equips him to handle high-stakes matches. The character of a top club must be shown at the right time. Failure to overcome Bodo/Glimt at San Siro would reduce last season’s Champions League runner-up status to a distant luxury memory.

Inter must win convincingly, showcasing their true class.

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