By Ethan Aspinall, Wed 21 January 2026 12:29
Bodo/Glimt 3 Manchester City 1: match reportAnother poor performance from the Blues leads to defeat in Norway with back-to-back losses
Manchester City were defeated 3-1 by Bodo Glimt in the Champions League to put their top 8 qualification in jeopardy and to suffer back-to-back competitive defeats for the third time this season, having lost 2-0 to Manchester United in their previous game. City were without new signings Guehi and Semenyo due to ineligibility and Bernardo was suspended. Donnarumma started in goal. Ait-Nouri, Alleyne, Khusanov, and O’Reilly were in defence. Lewis, Reijnders, and Rodri were in midfield and Foden, Cherki, and Haaland were in attack.
Like at the weekend, City appeared to struggle from the get-go and couldn’t create any clear-cut chances, while the defence was under pressure whenever Bodo had possession of the ball. Bodo, who hadn’t played a competitive game in almost 2 months, had certainly come to give the Blues a game and used a lethal high press. In the 20th minute, the first goal came from the home side when a cross into striker Hogh who headed it past Donnarumma to make it 1-0. In a matter of just two minutes, Bodo doubled their lead when another ball in from the right-side exposed City’s defence and fell to Hogh once again who knocked it in. After just 25 minutes, the Blues were in trouble once again.
Despite the possession, City couldn’t generate anything with what they have and similarly struggled to find a way through the defence, with the closest chance coming towards the end of the first half for Haaland who received a cross in at the near left post but his shot was wide. An unconvincing half ended and City were on the back foot.
Unfortunately for the Blues, the second half was hardly any better, unable to make any more of the possession they had and being hit hard on the counter. The defensive and midfield disorganisation led to Bodo increasing their lead to three goals. Hauge received the ball and ran at the defence and with an excellent shot from outside the box found the top corner to practically end the game. A convincing performance from the Norwegian side against a depleted City.
Cherki pulled one back for the Blues a few moments later with an outside of the box deflected finish to give the Blues a glimmer of hope for a comeback although these were extinguished two moments later, when Rodri was sent off after receiving two yellow in two minutes. The second two-minute nightmare moment of the match for City. Ultimately City continued to be outplayed by Bodo and could not find another goal and strolled to another defeat.
Concerning signs were clear at the weekend and these concerns have carried over to the next game too. Guardiola is not getting the best out of his players at this moment in time and something needs to happen to get the team back on their feet, having been on such a good run of form before the new year. The Blues taken on Wolves next in the Premier League before facing Galatasaray in the final Champions League match week. A much better and more spirited performance will be needed to secure automatic top 8 qualification.
Latest News
Search
Archives