Historic Night for Norwegian Football
Bodø/Glimt made history as the first Norwegian side to host a UEFA Champions League match since 2007, taking on Tottenham in a thrilling 2-2 draw. The Norwegian champions came within minutes of a sensational victory, showcasing a level of tactical sophistication that caught the eye of UEFA Technical Observer Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
Wide Play and Rotations: The Key to Success
According to Solskjær, Bodø/Glimt’s strength lay in their dynamic movement in wide areas. “The rotations were impressive,” he noted, highlighting the interplay between full-backs, attacking midfielders, and wingers. These coordinated movements repeatedly tested Tottenham’s mid-block and defensive organization.
Home coach Kjetil Knutsen praised his side’s attacking patterns, emphasizing “high quality in our build-up play.” Key moments, like Sondre Brunstad Fet’s first-half shooting chance, were created through precise underlapping runs from Fredrik Sjøvold, demonstrating the effectiveness of their structured wide combinations.
Jens Petter Hauge’s opener further illustrated Bodø/Glimt’s wide-play philosophy. Solskjær specifically noted the role of left-back Fredrik André Bjørkan, whose unselfish overlap created space for Hauge to cut inside and finish clinically.
Tactical Discipline and Team Cohesion
Solskjær stressed that Bodø/Glimt’s success stems from years of developing a trusted system rather than relying on individual brilliance. “They wait for the opening, not forcing the issue,” he said. “When Spurs lose concentration and leave gaps between the full-back and centre-back, they exploit it. If not, they circulate the ball patiently, waiting for the right moment.”
Even Tottenham coach Thomas Frank acknowledged the sophistication of Bodø/Glimt’s approach. “They kept moving the ball and creating situations from the wide areas,” he said, reflecting on the sequence that led to the late equalizer, which involved Pedro Porro’s intelligent run and a clever link-up culminating in an own goal by Jostein Gundersen.
Solskjær’s Coaching Insights
Breaking down the technical aspects, Solskjær observed:
- Three-player rotations: Full-back, attacking midfielder, and winger rotate with precision, timing their runs and passes to exploit spaces.
- Roles in wide areas: One player holds width, one attacks space via overlap or underlap, and another supports from behind for ball retention.
- Optional fourth player: Bodø/Glimt often involve a defensive midfielder or centre-back in wide areas to maintain possession against a low block.
- Pattern-based play: The team prioritizes short, connecting passes over individual dribbles, trusting the system to break down defenses.
“Ultimately, it was a team effort,” Solskjær concluded. “Bodø/Glimt are exceptionally comfortable in possession and have perfected patterns that allow them to control games without needing individual dribbling.”
Conclusion Bodø/Glimt’s performance in their Champions League debut was a masterclass in tactical discipline, wide-area rotations, and team cohesion. With Solskjær’s analysis highlighting their methodical approach, the Norwegian champions have firmly
