Inter Milan’s European aspirations came to a grinding halt on Tuesday evening as the Nerazzurri were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by a resilient Bodo/Glimt side. The Norwegian champions orchestrated a disciplined 2-1 victory at the San Siro in the second leg of their Round of 16 playoff, effectively ending the tie with a decisive 5-2 aggregate scoreline. Despite Inter’s status as heavy favorites playing on home soil, they were unable to overturn the 3-1 deficit incurred during the opening leg in Norway, marking a disappointing exit for the Italian giants.
Addressing the media in a somber post-match press conference, manager Cristian Chivu pointed to a second-half physical collapse as the primary reason for the defeat. The Romanian tactician noted that while his side dominated possession early on, they were unable to penetrate the visitors’ sophisticated defensive structure. As Inter pushed forward in search of the goals needed to bridge the aggregate gap, their physical intensity waned, allowing Bodo/Glimt to exploit gaps in the transition and put the match out of reach with two late strikes.
“We tried to unlock Bodo Glimt in every way. Assuming we scored 1-0 first, we would’ve put them in a difficult situation. They defended with a tight block, closing the spaces well. In the second half of the match we lost energy and made the mistake that cost us the goal. Then we lost the distance and conceded the second goal. Congratulations to Bodo Glimt,” Chivu said.
The result highlights the continued rise of Bodo/Glimt on the continental stage, as they successfully neutralized Inter’s attacking threats through what Chivu described as a “tight block.” The Italian side’s inability to maintain their tactical shape during the latter stages of the game proved fatal, leading to defensive lapses that the visitors clinicaly punished. The elimination leaves Inter to focus solely on domestic duties, while the Norwegian outsiders advance to the final eight of Europe’s premier club competition.
The atmosphere at the San Siro turned from hopeful to frustrated as the final whistle confirmed the upset. For Chivu, the focus now shifts to a post-mortem of a campaign that promised much but ultimately fell short against a tactically superior opponent over two legs. The manager’s admission regarding his team’s energy levels is likely to spark debate among the Italian press regarding the squad’s fitness and depth as they navigate the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
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