No one looks down on Norwegian football anymore, both because of a flawless qualification for this summer’s World Cup for Norway and Bodø/Glimt’s success in the Champions League.
The Manchester City manager is not alone in noticing what is happening in Norway. – He also has the advantage of having Norway’s biggest football star Erling Braut Haaland in the squad.
Pep Guardiola, who is the Premier League’s second most successful manager in terms of silverware after Sir Alex Ferguson, was asked at a press conference before Saturday’s away clash at the London Stadium against West Ham why English clubs are struggling in this year’s Champions League tournament.
Read: Coaching legend Fabio Capello explains why Bodø/Glimt and Norway can waltz over Italian football
The Manchester City manager came completely unsolicited with the strongest words of praise about Bodø/Glimt and Norwegian football during a press conference on Friday. “No one doubts anymore,
It all started with a question about what the English big clubs’ problems in the Champions League this week really say about the level of the Premier League.
Guardiola’s City were beaten 0-3 at home to Real Madrid, Chelsea had to endure a 2-5 draw against PSG, while both Newcastle and Arsenal had to settle for draws against Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.
“After what happened in midweek, I’m still confident that we have a fantastic league. The Premier League is incredible. But in the Champions League, over one or two games, anything can happen,” Guardiola began.
“That means that even though we are very good, the others are also good in their leagues,” he added.
Then came the unexpected shift: Guardiola singled out Bodø/Glimt as the clear proof that football Europe has had a powerful wake-up call.
– Is there anyone who still doubts Bodø/Glimt and Norway anymore? None. Not a single one, said a clearly impressed Spaniard.
“They are a top team. Now everyone sees that they are playing fantastic. They beat Sporting 3-0, they beat us, they beat Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid,” the City boss said.
Bodø/Glimt 3–0 Sporting CP.
Guardiola’s City experienced Glimt’s strength when they lost 1-3 at Aspmyra in January. That loss was the start of the Northerners’ insane final spurt in league play – and the way on to both the playoffs and the last eight.
“The competition and the sport are tough, everyone is better prepared. Everyone has incredible respect for the others,” Guardiola said of the state of international football at the moment.
Bodø/Glimt beat Sporting CP 3-0 in the first leg of the last eight this week and have a leg up in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The result has made headlines all over Europe.
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