In a week of high drama in the Champions League, few results were as shocking as Bodø/Glimt's continued dominance, while Juventus found a much-needed victory to revive their hopes.
Bodø, a town north of the Arctic Circle, witnessed Bodø/Glimt's historic 3-1 victory over Manchester City. This marked the first time an Arctic team has won a Champions League match. The Norwegian champions, who had already proven their mettle in the Europa League last season, showed no fear against Pep Guardiola's star-studded side. Kasper Høgh emerged as the hero, scoring two goals, while Jens Petter Hauge added another to seal the victory. Rayan Cherki scored for Manchester City shortly after Hauge's goal, but Rodri's dismissal following two yellow cards compounded City's problems.
The result sent shockwaves through the football world, with pundits calling it an "embarrassing night" for Manchester City. Despite the vast financial and talent gap between the two clubs, Bodø/Glimt's relentless pressing and tactical awareness proved too much for the English giants. Their manager, Kjetil Knutsen, masterminded a game plan that exploited City's weaknesses, leading to a historic win in front of a jubilant home crowd. Prior to this match, Bodø/Glimt had drawn against Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham in their first Champions League group phase.
Meanwhile, in Turin, Juventus secured a vital 2-0 victory against Benfica, boosting their chances of progressing to the next round. Goals from Khephren Thuram and Weston McKennie secured the win for the "Old Lady". McKennie's commanding presence in midfield and Thuram's timely goal highlighted their importance to the team.
This win places Juventus in 15th position in the league table, accumulating 12 points from their initial seven matches, comprising three wins, three draws, and one loss. Juventus faces Monaco away from home in the final round and must win to finish in the top eight.
Juventus's victory was crucial after a mixed run of form in the Champions League. They had previously suffered a 2-3 defeat against Bodø/Glimt and faced tough encounters against other group opponents. The win against Benfica provides a platform for Juventus to build momentum as they aim to secure a spot in the top eight and advance to the round of 16.
The Champions League continues to deliver thrilling encounters and unexpected results. Bodø/Glimt's stunning victory over Manchester City will be remembered as one of the greatest shocks in the competition's history, while Juventus's revival, led by McKennie, adds another layer of intrigue to this season's campaign.
