Finalist in the last edition of the Champions League, Inter Milan lost 3-1 on the field of Norwegian team Bodo Glimt on Wednesday, February 18, in the first leg of the round of 16. At the same time, Antoine Griezmann’s Atletico Madrid was held to a 3-3 draw by Club Brugge.
In the other two matches of the evening, the logic was respected in Baku where Newcastle swept Qarabag 6-1, and in Piraeus where Bayer Leverkusen solidly defeated Olympiakos 2-0.
The standout performance of the evening belonged to Norwegian team Bodo Glimt making their debut in the Champions League, defeating Inter Milan who were finalists in the previous season against Paris Saint-Germain.
Sondre Fet opened the scoring for Bodo (1-0, 20′), Inter equalized with a goal from Pio Esposito (30′), but then in the second half, they conceded two goals from Jens Petter Hauge (61′) and Kasper Hogh (64′), with the Norwegian team looking physically more prepared.
A Match Full of Twists and Turns in Bruges
Another European giant, Atletico Madrid, after leading twice, was held to a 3-3 draw by Club Brugge at home. Atletico opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a penalty converted by Argentine striker Julian Alvarez. Ademola Lookman doubled the lead just before halftime from a corner (45′ + 4), scoring his third goal in five matches in his new colors. The Belgians took control in the second half, scoring two goals in less than ten minutes through Raphael Onyedika (51′) and Nicolo Tresoldi (60′).
Belgian defender Joel Ordonez scored an own goal to give the Spaniards the advantage (79′), but Christos Tzolis equalized again in the 90′ + 1, setting up an exciting second leg in Madrid.
No surprises expected at St James’ Park next week after Newcastle dominated Qarabag in the first leg, with the Azerbaijani team conceding five goals in the first half, including a quadruple from Anthony Gordon (3′, 32′ pen, 33′, 45′ + 1 pen). The English international climbs to the second position in the Champions League goal-scoring chart with ten goals, behind Kylian Mbappe (thirteen).
Bayer Leverkusen also secured a comfortable advantage by winning 2-0 in Greece against Olympiakos, with a brace from Czech international Patrik Schick (60′, 63′).
