Tottenham 3–1 Bodo/Glimt Player Ratings: Tottenham Register a Comfortable Home Victory Against the Norwegian Side

Tottenham Hotspur made light work of Bodo/Glimt at home to have a foot in the finals of the Europa League. The Londoners take a comfortable 3-1 lead into the second leg in Norway. Brennan Johson opened the scoring with a fine header inside the opening minute. The visitors barely kept up as James Maddison doubled their advantage past the 30-minute mark.

Dominic Solanke’s penalty around the hour mark put them three clear. However, Bodo/Glint had a late resurgent spell that saw them score through Ulrik Saltnes to have a small hope of an incredible turnaround in Norway.

Tottenham’s season was pretty much banked on their Europa League campaign. After an abysmal league season where they were closer to relegation than to the top 6, they needed desperate success in Europe. Ange Postecoglou confidently said he wins things in his second season at clubs, and this was his last chance of proving it. The Australians’ side was battered by his favourite club, Liverpool, on the weekend. However, he rested his big guns with this game in mind and recalled them into the lineup, expecting a big response.

Standing in their way was the story of the season, Bodo/Glimt. The club from the little fishing town of Bodo in Norway earned the tag of giant killers after scintillating performances. They became the first Norwegian team to reach the semis of any European competition. This had the making of a David vs Goliath clash as the entire population of Bodo could be packed into Tottenham’s stadium with ease. Besides, they have a favourable history of dumping Ange Postecoglou out of Europe in the past. They were without Captain Patrick Berg, Hakon Evjen, and Andrea Helmersen, who were all suspended.

Tottenham made a fast start to the game as they opened the scoring with the first attack of the game. Pedro Porro’s cross was kept alive by Richarlison, who nodded it towards Brennan Johnson. The Welsh forward escaped his marker and planted an easy header across the goalkeeper to give the lead with just 38 seconds on the clock. It became the quickest goal in the Europa League semi-final history, allowing the hosts to settle into the game slowly and play on the break, unlike themselves.

Bodo/Glimt felt the pressure on a huge away night as they took their time to get going. A lack of their usual high press made it easy for Tottenham’s defence to step up and dictate the play. Tottenham came close to doubling their lead through Richarlison, Destiny Udogie, and James Maddison. It clicked for them in the 34th minute as Porro made a lovely pass over the top for Maddison to latch onto. The English international took it down with a delicate touch before rounding off the onrushing keeper and burying it in the bottom corner of the net.

Bodo/Glimt barely had a sniff of Tottenham’s goal in the first half. They only managed to fire a warning sign as their wingers combined. Isak Maatta pulled back for Ole Blomberg, who fired above from close range. The Norwegian side went into the tunnel needing a huge second half to keep their European fairytale going. For the hosts, it was all about seeing the game out comfortably and trying to add a goal or two to kill off the tie.

Tottenham made a measured start to the second half, and around the hour mark, they were rewarded with a penalty. Cristian Romero and Fredrik Sjovold went for a loose ball in Bodo’s box following a corner, and the defender ended up catching Romero on his shin. Following a VAR check, Dominic Solanker stepped up and rolled the penalty to the bottom left corner to make it 3-0. With back-to-back penalties in two games, Solanke put Tottenham in the finals halfway through the tie.

The Tottenham Hotspur stadium was bouncing with joy as the fans realised they were on the brink of a European final. James Maddison picked up an injury and left the field, unfortunately for them. The visitors struggled to get going as Tottenham showed great in-game management. The game slowly limped towards the full-time whistle.

The visitors had a late interest in the game as the stand-in captain, Ulrik Saltnes, fired a deflected effort into the back of the net. It was the first shot on target for them. This goal barely keeps Bodo/Glimt alive in the tie heading into the second leg.

Tottenham played a near-perfect game and has a foot in the Europa League final, barring a massive debacle in Norway. They visit London neighbours West Ham in the league on Sunday.

Bodo/Glimt failed to continue their fairy tale run with a thumping defeat. They have a near-impossible task on their hands now at their home stadium. They don’t have a league fixture to distract them in the middle, as they can prepare for the reverse leg all week.

Here are the player ratings for Tottenham vs Bodo/Glimt.

Tottenham Player Ratings

GK- Guglielmo Vicario- 6.5/10

Had no work in the first half as he was involved with the ball at his feet rather than with his hand. Conceded the first shot on target as Bodo got a goal back.

RB- Pedro Porro- 7.5/10

A fantastic whipped cross towards the back post acted as a pre-assist for the first goal. Enjoyed a similar threat throughout the game. Played a sensational ball over the top to find Maddison for their second goal.

CB- Cristian Romero- 8/10

A lack of pressure from the forward line of Bodo allowed him to step up and choose his passes freely. Did well to stick with the striker throughout the game. Won a penalty with a clever bit of play in the box.

CB- Mickey Van de Ven- 7/10

His recovery pace and anticipation were top-notch as he swept up multiple loose balls that came his way. Very active in playing the high line with his ball-playing.

LB- Destiny Udogie- 7.5/10

Showed fine linkup with Rihcarlsion as he bombed forward into attack multiple times. Won the ball back multiple times with great anticipation in his pressing.

CM- Yves Bissouma- 7/10

Started the game to provide more physicality in the middle of the pitch, and did his part to win the midfield battle. Committed a couple of dangerous fouls as well in his hot pursuit of the ball.

CM- Rodrigo Bentancur- 7.5/10

Sat in the middle of the pitch and became a volume passer for his side to keep recycling the ball. Nearly scored a third for his side with a fantastic volley.

CM- James Maddison- 8.5/10

Had some fantastic touches as he tried to press high up the pitch and join the forward line in their hunt for another goal. Took his goal with aplomb as he rounded the goalkeeper before slotting it home. Left the field limping as he seems to have picked up a mysterious injury.

RW- Brennan Johnson- 8/10

His knack for scoring huge goals came clutch again as he scored the fastest goal in the competition’s semi-final history with a cushioned header.

ST- Dominic Solanke- 7/10

Played as a fulcrum through which Tottenham built their attacks, as his priority was bringing the other forwards into play first. Stepped up and rolled the penalty home to put them 3-0 up.

LW- Richarlison- 7.5/10

Started ahead of Mathys Tel and made the telling contribution inside the opening minute with a fantastic lay-off for Johnson. He was a genuine outlet for his side on the left flank. Withdrawn at the break for Tel himself.

SUB- Mathys Tel- 6/10

SUB- Dejan Kulusevksi- 6/10

Manager- Ange Postecoglou- 8/10

As his side scored the first goal, they settled into a defensive shape for the first time under him, probably. But they converted defence to attack pretty quickly to double their lead. They learnt well to close out games more comfortably.

Bodo/Glimt Player Ratings

GK- Nikita Haikin- 6/10

Barely stood a chance as Johnson had an easy header against him from close range. Tried to put some pressure on Maddison by rushing out for the second goal, but it went badly.

RB- Fredrik Sjovold- 5/10

He was given a tough time by the duo of Richarlison and Udogie on his wing. Could barely afford to step out and held his side in attack. Committed a silly foul inside the box to concede a penalty.

CB- Villads Nielsen- 5/10

He was weak in the air as Richarlison won the header for the first goal and lost Maddison, who ran off his shoulder for the second goal. Hooked off at half-time

CB- Jostein Gundersen- 6/10

Made some mistakes with the ball at his feet as he gave it away cheaply. Did kept his composure to put some good tackles on Solanke to prevent him from pulling away.

LB- Fredrik Bjorkan- 6/10

Was taken out of the frame by Johnson, who started wide and made some darting runs inside.

CM- Jens Hauge- 6.5/10

Plenty of Bodo’s good moments came through the Mercurial attacker, but he failed to get the simple passes away to threaten Tottenham. Put on an improved performance in the second half, but was unable to produce anything tangible.

CM- Sondre Fet- 6/10

Failed to control the middle of the park as Bissouma gave him a rough showing around. Needed better control over the transitions as well.

CM- Ulrik Saltnes- 6/10

The captain was ballwatching as he allowed Johnson to have a free run for the first goal. Had a good chance to score in the second half, but it was snatched off from him. Finally made a chance count to give them a glimmer of hope.

RW- Isak Maatta- 6.5/10

He was handled very well by Udogie throughout the first half, but managed to create a good chance through some unrelenting play.

ST- Kasper Hogh- 6/10

He was excellently marked out of the game by Tottenham’s centre-backs. A lack of aggressive press from the front also compounded Bodo’s problems in the final third.

LW- Ole Blomberg- 6/10

Had the best chance for his side to decrease the arrears, but couldn’t keep his finish down from close range.

SUB- Brede Moe- 6/10

SUB- Sondre Auklend- 6/10

SUB- Jeppe Kjaer- 6/10

SUB- Sondre Sorli- 6/10

Manager- Kjetil Knutsen- 6/10

His side’s famed high pressing was nowhere to be seen as Tottenham enjoyed so much time on the ball before picking their next move. The attack couldn’t string a couple of passes together to hurt the opposition seriously.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to: James Maddison