UCL: Nerazzurri snake in a do-or-die mission against North Pole hydra
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 24.02.26. | 14:11
Inter are desperate to overturn a 3-1 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League play-off round against Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday night (11 pm)
If it happens once, it can be a coincidence or a bit of luck. Twice? No chance. Trice? We’re talking about a serious case here.
And after topping Atletico Madrid, Manchester City and, finally, Inter Milan in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs, Bodo/Glimt have proved themselves as the new, emerging power in Europe. Don't let their humble history and names fool you - the Norwegians are as good as it gets.
Especially at their tiny little ground, near the Arctic Circle, they are a serious threat to everyone, giants included. The Nerazzurri felt it on their skin last week, as Bodo celebrated a much-deserved 3-1 win, which gives them a serious advantage ahead of tonight’s rematch at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan (11 pm).
Along with a two-goal gap, the underdogs will enjoy the fact that Christian Chivu's side will be crippled due to injuries to its most important players. Most notably, captain Lautaro Martinez, who suffered a calf strain during the first leg and is expected to be sidelined for a few more weeks. Hakan Calhanoglu is also expected to be unavailable on Tuesday night.
On the other hand, Denzel Dumfries is finally available, but has not featured since November and is therefore unlikely to start in the Champions League decider.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Pio Esposito and Marcus Thuram will be up front from the start, while Nicolo Barella is expected to start in midfield. Piotr Zielinski should replace Calhanoglu, and Sky Sport Italia suggests that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will complete the midfield.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - PLAYOFFS
Return leg
Tuesday
20.45: (1.45) Atl.Madrid (4.80) Club Brugge (8.00)
23.00: (1.25) Inter (7.00) Bodo (12.0)
23.00: (1.83) Leverkusen (3.95) Olympiakos (4.25)
23.00: (1.83) Leverkusen (3.95) Olympiakos (4.25)
23.00: (1.15) Newcastle (10.5) Qarabag (17.0)
Wednesday
20.45: (2.15) Atalanta (3.50) Dortmund (3.60)
22.00: (1.53) Juventus (4.80) Galatasaray (5.95)
23.00: (1.25) PSG (6.50) Monaco (10.0)
23.00: (1.45) Real Madrid (4.50) Benfica (7.00)
***odds are subject to change***