The new Champions League rules mean that two Leagues get extra places along with some throwers, from countries that are doing well in Europe that will avoid qualifying rounds. – Bodø/Glimt’s success in the Europa League can quickly ensure that the winner of the Eliteserien gets direct qualification to the Champions League as a kind of equalizing mandate.
For a while, both Italy and England have been well placed for an extra place, and after yesterday’s (Tuesday) first quarter-finals where Bayern Munich lost to Inter Milan and Arsenal ran over Real Madrid, there will be a plus in the margin for UEFA for both countries.
Arsenal impressively won 3-0 over Real Madrid in the first of the two quarter-final meetings in the Champions League.
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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was at the press conference afterwards adult enough to take the blame: “It’s very tough for us. We were organized in the first half, but after the free-kick goals we conceded, the team struggled both physically and mentally. The level dropped!
It was difficult. Normally we get up at the end of games, but we were bad tonight. It’s disappointing. We have to be critical of ourselves and do everything we can to address this next week. The opportunity is quite small, but we have to try everything we can, 100 percent. If nothing else, it’s an opportunity to provide an answer to a poor performance.
The opponents played better than us and we lost control. Our reaction to their goal was very bad. We must be honest in our criticism of ourselves.”
The atmosphere was naturally better in the English capital than in the Spanish capital. The cheers spread out of north London, for more reasons than good and impressive football.
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With the “Gunners” victory, England have secured a fifth direct place in next season’s Champions League. This means that the teams that finish in the top five in the Premier League this year are guaranteed a place in the tournament.
A quick look at the table shows that it could be an exciting end to the season. From Nottingham Forest in third place down to Fulham in eighth place, there are only nine points, with seven games left to play.
It is also worth mentioning that both Tottenham and Manchester United are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. A win in that tournament also earns a place in the Champions League next season.
If either of these teams lifts the trophy in May, they will also have secured a place in the tournament’s league phase this autumn – regardless of their position in the Premier League. But important from a Norwegian point of view. Bodø/Glimt will host Lazio at Aspmyra for the first quarter-final in the Europa League.
Not that they need any help from the weather, but on Thursday 10 April, between 0 and 3 plus degrees, 9.3 mm of precipitation in the form of sleet and rain and 8 m/s wind have been reported.
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