Kjetil Knutsen spoke highly after his team ended 2024 with almost securing advancement in the Europa League.
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Despite outrageous wasted chances: Bodø/Glimt may have already secured enough points to make it to the knockout stage of the Europa League.
– This may possibly be Glimt’s best season, stated coach Kjetil Knutsen to Viaplay after the 2–1 victory over Besiktas in the group stage.
– When I say best season, I mean the results – not always the performances. the fact is that Glimt scored the most, conceded the fewest, and earned the most points in the Eliteserien. That makes you the league champion. Ten points from six matches in the Europa League. We have never done that before, justifies Knutsen.
Bodø/Glimt has four league titles in five seasons, broken numerous Norwegian football records, defeated Roma 6–1, and reached the quarter-finals of the Conference League.
They are now in 13th place in the Europa League.24 teams will advance from the group stage. The eight best teams will go directly to the round of 16,while the remaining 16 must go through an additional playoff round.
Now they have established a great starting point before the last two decisive matches, which will be played in January.
– There’s a big difference between ten and seven points.And we have two matches left,says Knutsen to Viaplay.
But it didn’t open smoothly for Bodø/Glimt. There were numerous errors and dangerous situations in the first thirty minutes.
One by one,the yellows were severely punished. Philip Zinckernagel lost the ball at the halfway line – and seconds later, Tottenham flop Gedson Fernandes slid the ball into the net.
Glimt almost faced another shock when Rafa Silva got a one-on-one with Nikita Haikin. He chipped the ball over the Russian, but Jostein gundersen managed just enough of a touch on the ball to prevent a goal.
– We usually give the opponent one chance, and then they score, and then we take them back. That’s a bit of our trademark, says Glimt veteran ulrik Saltnes to VG.
– We are sloppy a lot. We have time to keep things simple. There’s more space to play against these guys than in the Eliteserien, so we need to use that. We are slacking on counter-defending, but it’s a good finish, said assistant coach Gaute Helstrup to Viaplay during the break.
And it was indeed a good finish to the half.When Philip Zinckernagel turned on a dime and hammered in the equalizer after 37 minutes, it was as if Glimt finally woke up.
After a lengthy VAR check for a possible offside, play resumed. Seconds later, Ulrik Saltnes was close to doubling the lead.
That was the start of sustained Glimt pressure, culminating in Odin Bjørtuft pounding in the 2–1 goal after a corner. Glimt had turned the match around.
In the second half, Bodø/glimt had a myriad of opportunities to seal the match, but a lack of precision in crucial moments meant that the tension remained until the final whistle.
It could have cost them. Besiktas created some dangerous moments, and especially one chance a quarter of an hour before the end was enormous.
But Glimt held on and secured a very significant victory in the Europa League. Now the Northerners are in a good position before their last two matches at home against Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv and away against French Nice, both of which will be played in January.
Both teams have struggled so far in the tournament. While Maccabi Tel Aviv is fighting to break into the top 24, it may be game over for Nice already before the match against Bodø/Glimt in the final round.
– The victory here gives Bodø/Glimt a legitimate hope for the top eight, says Viaplay’s football expert Petter veland.
How does Kjetil Knutsen’s coaching style impact Bodø/Glimt’s performance in European competitions?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert on Bodø/Glimt’s Europa League Journey
Editor: Good afternoon,and welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re diving into the remarkable journey of Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League, and who better to discuss this with than our football expert, Mats Arntzen.Thanks for joining us, Mats!
mats Arntzen: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for Bodø/Glimt fans.
Editor: Absolutely! Following their recent 2-1 victory over Besiktas, Kjetil Knutsen, the coach, proclaimed this might be the club’s best season ever. What do you think about that statement?
Mats Arntzen: I think it speaks volumes about how far Bodø/Glimt has come. Knutsen is not just looking at the results but also at the overall progress. With four league titles in five seasons and a remarkable performance in Europe, they are certainly making a name for themselves.
Editor: It’s impressive for a club from Norway to perform at such a high level in european competitions. Can you elaborate on what makes this season stand out for Bodø/Glimt?
Mats Arntzen: Besides accumulating the most points and winning the Eliteserien again, they’ve consistently outperformed past seasons in international play. Scoring the most goals while conceding the fewest shows their strength and tactical prowess. Those ten points from six Europa League matches reflect their growth and competitiveness on the continental stage.
Editor: You mentioned their record-breaking performance in the Eliteserien and that notorious match against Roma. How does that set the bar for players and fans alike?
Mats Arntzen: That match was historic! Winning 6-1 against a club like Roma is a testament to their capability. It raises expectations for players and instills a strong belief among fans that they can compete with the best. Each success builds on the last, creating a culture of ambition.
Editor: Now,with Bodø/Glimt sitting in 13th place in the Europa League,there are still hurdles to clear before they can secure a knockout stage spot. How critical are the upcoming matches to their ambitions?
Mats Arntzen: The next two matches are pivotal. Knutsen highlighted the important difference between having ten points versus seven; it affects their standing and potential pathway into the knockout rounds. The pressure is on, but their performance so far gives them a solid foundation.
Editor: in your opinion, what role does Knutsen play in this success? Is it his coaching style, or is there something deeper at play?
Mats arntzen: Kjetil Knutsen is a phenomenal tactician. He communicates well with his players and adapts strategies to exploit opponents’ weaknesses. moreover, he fosters a strong team culture where each player feels valued. His ability to blend tactical acumen with player advancement is key to their achievements.
Editor: Truly engaging! Should they advance,how do you think Bodø/Glimt can navigate the challenges of the knockout stage?
Mats Arntzen: They will need to maintain their confidence and stay composed. The key will be their defense—continuing to ensure they concede the fewest goals. They must take calculated risks in attack while being disciplined at the back.I think their experiance from previous European campaigns will also serve them well.
Editor: Lastly, what do you hope to see from Bodø/Glimt in the near future?
mats arntzen: I hope they continue to challenge the norms of Norwegian football and European competitions. Their performance can inspire other clubs in Norway and push the league’s level higher. I’d love to see them not just reaching the knockout stages but genuinely competing against top-tier clubs.
Editor: Thank you so much for your insights, Mats! It’s always a pleasure to hear your thoughts on the lovely game. Here’s to Bodø/Glimt’s potential journey ahead!
Mats Arntzen: Thanks for having me! Let’s keep an eye on how they progress in the Europa League.
Editor: And to our readers, we’ll be following Bodø/Glimt closely and will report back on their upcoming matches. Stay tuned!