Bodø/Glimt Stun Juventus in Champions League Thriller
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Juventus’ search for a Champions League victory continues after a dramatic 3-2 defeat against Bodø/Glimt, fueled by a late penalty and a decisive goal from substitute Jonathan David. The Norwegian side, previously winless in the competition, secured a stunning result against the Italian giants.
Despite a challenging buildup – including the need to quickly clear snow from their artificial pitch – Bodø/Glimt entered the match determined to break their Champions League drought. Having secured a draw against Tottenham on matchday 2 following losses to Galatasaray and AS Monaco, the Norwegians aimed to capitalize on Juventus’ own struggles in Europe.
Openda’s First for Juventus, But Momentum Shifts
Loïs Openda made his first start for Juventus since November 1, but initially struggled to impact the game. It was Bodø/Glimt who struck first, with Blomberg opening the scoring midway through the first half. A well-executed corner kick found the winger at the far post, allowing him to head home what was described as a “not undeservedly” earned goal.
The second half saw a shift in momentum, with Juventus taking “complete command.” Openda finally found the back of the net, leveling the score with a goal described as “not his most beautiful, but his first since April 11” when he scored for Leipzig against Wolfsburg. This marked his first goal for the Italian club, potentially offering a much-needed boost in confidence.
Disallowed Goal and Late Drama
Juventus appeared to take the lead shortly after Openda’s equalizer, with Miretti setting up Weston McKennie to head home a goal. However, the goal was quickly disallowed for offside. Undeterred, Juventus did eventually take the lead on the hour mark, again through Miretti, with McKennie providing the finishing touch.
However, the lead proved fragile. A late penalty awarded to Bodø/Glimt in the 87th minute provided the Norwegians with an opportunity to equalize, which Fet expertly converted. “You are never done with those filthy Norwegians,” one observer noted, highlighting the resilience of the home side.
David Delivers the Decisive Blow
Just as Juventus seemed poised to escape with a victory, substitute Jonathan David emerged as the hero for Bodø/Glimt. Fifteen minutes after replacing Openda, David “appeared like a devil out of a box” to score the winning goal, securing the 3-2 victory. The result leaves Juventus still searching for their first Champions League win, and marks the end of a clean sheet streak for both Openda and the Italian club.
