Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted his side must urgently “change the dynamic” following a damaging 3–1 Champions League loss to Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday night. City were stunned at the Aspmyra Stadion, where the hosts raced into a commanding lead through Kasper Høgh, who struck twice in the first half. Former City winger Jens Petter Hauge added a third after the break, sending the home fans into raptures.
Although Rayan Cherki pulled one back shortly after Hauge’s goal, City’s hopes of a comeback were extinguished when Rodri was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. Bodo/Glimt went on to record their first-ever Champions League group-stage victory, a historic moment for a club from a town of just 55,000 people.
Underdogs Defy the Odds
Despite the vast financial and squad-quality gap between the two sides, Bodo/Glimt, under coach Kjetil Knutsen, dominated large spells of the match. Their high tempo and relentless pressing unsettled City, who struggled to impose themselves throughout the contest. The defeat leaves City’s hopes of securing automatic qualification to the last 16 hanging in the balance, with a decisive final group match at home against Galatasaray looming next week.
Growing Concerns for City
The result compounded a worrying run of form for the 2023 European champions, who are also enduring a difficult domestic campaign. City are winless in their last four Premier League matches, including a 2–0 defeat to Manchester United at the weekend, and now trail league leaders Arsenal by seven points. Guardiola struck a somber tone after the match, acknowledging that things have not gone City’s way in recent weeks.
Since the new year, many things have been going against us. We arrived here missing important players who give the team balance and consistency. That has made us a bit fragile
Pep GuardiolaInjury Crisis and Squad Issues
Guardiola also defended midfielder Rodri, who has endured a challenging return after missing most of last season with a serious knee injury. The City boss dismissed suggestions that his team were unprepared for Bodo/Glimt’s pressing, instead choosing to credit the Norwegian side. City will now turn their attention to a Premier League clash against Wolves before their must-win Champions League encounter with Galatasaray.
