Two sides still searching for their first victory of this season’s Champions League campaign meet in northern Norway on Tuesday, as Bodo/Glimt welcome Juventus to the Aspmyra Stadion. Both clubs sit in the lower half of Group D, separated by just a single point, with the Norwegian champions hoping to make the most of their formidable home advantage against a Juve side still attempting to find stability under new management.
Match Preview
European Struggles Define Juventus’ Season
Juventus have endured a turbulent start to their European campaign. After thrilling but costly draws against Borussia Dortmund (4-4) and Villarreal (2-2), they narrowly lost to Real Madrid before being held at home by Sporting Lisbon earlier this month. The 1-1 draw in Turin, salvaged by Dusan Vlahovic’s first-half equaliser, extended an unwanted trend: the Bianconeri have now failed to keep a clean sheet in seven successive Champions League fixtures, conceding an average of two goals per game in that stretch.
In broader terms, Juventus’ recent European record is bleak. The two-time continental champions have won only twice in their last 12 UEFA encounters and hold a single victory from their last dozen away games at this level. Despite boasting considerable experience in the competition, the Turin club find themselves short of fluency, confidence, and consistency.
Their domestic form tells a similar story. A disappointing 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Fiorentina at the weekend summed up their stop-start Serie A campaign. Filip Kostic’s fine strike gave them the lead, but defensive frailty let the hosts back in, and Luciano Spalletti’s search for rhythm continues. Juventus have recorded just two wins in their past 13 matches across all competitions, a run that illustrates the size of the rebuild still required under their new coach.
Bodo/Glimt’s European Journey and Home Strength
While Juventus represent European pedigree, Bodo/Glimt continue to write their own modern fairytale on the continental stage. This season marks the Norwegian side’s first appearance in the Champions League group phase, achieved after an emphatic 6-2 aggregate win over Sturm Graz in the qualifiers. Yet, after four matches, Kjetil Knutsen’s team remain winless, sitting on two points following draws with Slavia Prague and Tottenham Hotspur before a narrow 1-0 home defeat to Monaco last time out.
That setback has left them with an uphill climb to avoid early elimination. Another failure to win at their Arctic fortress would equal their longest winless run in European competition. Historically, Bodo/Glimt have proven fierce opponents on home soil, particularly under freezing conditions that often unsettle visiting sides unused to artificial surfaces and the harsh Nordic climate.
Domestically, however, Glimt continue to flourish. Fresh off a 2-1 victory over KFUM Oslo, they remain locked in a fierce title race with Viking FK as they aim to retain their Eliteserien crown. That blend of confidence at home and competitive rhythm could serve them well against the visiting Italians.
Team News
Luciano Spalletti is expected to rotate his Juventus squad given the congested fixture list. With star striker Dusan Vlahovic managing an adductor problem after international duty, either Lois Openda or Jonathan David could spearhead the attack. At the back, the Bianconeri’s injury issues continue: Bremer remains sidelined, and Daniele Rugani is the latest casualty with a muscular issue. The return of Juan Cabal and Lloyd Kelly offers some relief, but defensive stability remains a major concern, with Federico Gatti expected to miss the game with fever.
For the hosts, Bodo/Glimt will be forced into at least one change after defender Jostein Gundersen’s red card against Monaco ruled him out through suspension. Backup forward Ola Brynhildsen is also unavailable with a knee injury, but Knutsen otherwise enjoys a healthy squad. Expect Jens Petter Hauge, the former AC Milan winger and one of the standout dribblers in this season’s competition, to return to the starting lineup after being rested during the weekend.
Probable Starting XI’s
Bodo/Glimt (4-3-3): Haikin; Sjovold, Bjortuft, Moe, Bjorkan; Evjen, Berg, Fet; Auklend, Hogh, Hauge.
Juventus (3-4-2-1) : Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Kelly, Koopmeiners; Cambiaso, Locatelli, Thuram, Kostic; Conceicao, Yildiz; Vlahovic.
Prediction
Both teams are desperate to secure their first Champions League win of the season, yet the conditions and contrasting mentalities may cancel each other out. Juventus, still finding their shape under Spalletti, could struggle to impose themselves on an artificial pitch against an opponent that thrives in these surroundings. Bodo/Glimt’s energy and familiarity with the setting may offset Juve’s technical edge, suggesting another tight encounter is in store.
Prediction: Bodo/Glimt 1-2 Juventus
