Champions League Review: Bodø/Glimt Stuns Again as McKennie Leads a Juventus Revival
The penultimate matchday of the Champions League group phase delivered drama, upsets, and standout performances, with Arsenal maintaining their position at the summit of the competition. This week's action also featured a notable celebration from Jude Bellingham and a historic triumph for a Norwegian underdog.
Norwegian Prime Minister Witnesses Historic Victory
Jonas Gahr Støre, the Prime Minister of Norway and recent recipient of a Nobel peace prize-related message from former President Donald Trump, made the long journey to Bodø to witness a remarkable Champions League encounter. The 700-mile trip from Oslo proved worthwhile as Bodø/Glimt secured a stunning 3-1 victory over Manchester City, marking their first ever win in the group stage.
This result represents Norway's greatest club football achievement since Rosenborg defeated and eliminated AC Milan from the competition back in December 1996. Manager Kjetil Knutsen's side displayed fantastic, energetic football rather than adopting a defensive approach. The team's third goal, scored by Jens Petter Hauge, was a moment of pure beauty that capped off a memorable performance.
Guardiola Acknowledges Bodø's Quality
While Manchester City's current form has been concerning—they remain the only Premier League team outside the group stage's top eight—Pep Guardiola was gracious in defeat. The City manager praised Bodø/Glimt's consistency, noting their stable management and core playing squad over recent years.
"The same manager for the past six, seven years, the same players, and that gives consistency in what they have to do, so full respect," Guardiola stated. Meanwhile, City's players have promised to refund supporters who traveled to Norway for the match.
Arsenal Continue Their Dominant Run
Arsenal strengthened their position at the top of the Champions League with an impressive 3-1 victory over Inter Milan in Italy. Inter coach Cristian Chivu acknowledged the Gunners' quality after the match, describing them as one of Europe's best teams alongside Bayern Munich.
"We knew this was one of the best teams in Europe," Chivu said. "They're first without losing. The depth is important. They have quality, pace, intensity, individual players. In my opinion, Arsenal with Bayern Munich are the two best teams for the moment."
Gabriel Jesus returned to form with a double, while Viktor Gyökeres added another goal as Arsenal's forwards found the San Siro more accommodating than recent Premier League fixtures. Tottenham, Liverpool, and Newcastle also secured comfortable Champions League victories this week, despite their inconsistent domestic form.
McKennie Emerges as Juventus Talisman
Weston McKennie continues to establish himself as a key figure for Juventus, scoring his team's second goal in their 2-0 victory over Benfica. This marked his third goal in his last three Champions League appearances, helping Juventus secure qualification for the knockout stages.
The American midfielder cleverly used Jonathan David as a decoy before powering home Juventus's second goal, following Khéphren Thuram's similar opener. With his contract expiring this summer, McKennie is likely to attract significant interest from multiple clubs.
"We believe in the concept," McKennie said of manager Luciano Spalletti's coaching approach, which has gradually revived Juventus's fortunes this season. The Italian side now faces a crucial weekend clash with Napoli before their final group match against Monaco.
Looking Ahead to the Final Matchday
Several dramatic scenarios await resolution in the final round of group matches. Paris Saint-Germain's top-eight position is in jeopardy following their defeat to Sporting Lisbon, requiring a victory against Newcastle next week to secure advancement.
Five teams enter the final matchday on eight points, with Napoli, Copenhagen, and Club Brugge currently outside the top twenty-four qualification spots. PSV, Athletic Bilbao, and Olympiacos sit just within the cutoff line, setting up tense final fixtures across Europe.
Qarabag kept their knockout stage hopes alive with a dramatic 94th-minute winner against Eintracht Frankfurt in Baku. The Azerbaijani side now controls their own destiny and can secure historic progression with a positive result at Anfield against Liverpool in their final group match.
