On a freezing night inside the Arctic Circle, Manchester City suffered one of the most humiliating European defeats of the Pep Guardiola era. Bodo/Glimt’s stunning 3-1 Champions League victory over the 2023 winners was not only historic for Norwegian football, but also deeply alarming for a City side already battling poor form and mounting injuries.
As the full-time whistle blew at Aspmyra Stadion, the question was unavoidable: is this simply a blip for Guardiola’s side, or a sign of something more serious?
Historic Night for Bodo/Glimt, Humbling One for City
Bodo/Glimt claimed the first Champions League win in their history, becoming the latest Scandinavian side to inflict embarrassment on English opposition. On a night when temperatures plunged and expectations favoured the Premier League champions, City were comprehensively outplayed.
“They’ve caused themselves a problem,” said former Premier League striker Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“If they don’t beat Galatasaray, they could end up in the play-offs. That’s not where they want to be. It’s an embarrassing night.”
City, winless in the Premier League in 2026, now face the very real prospect of added pressure in Europe — something Guardiola has rarely had to contend with in recent seasons.
‘A Hell of a Beating’ in the Arctic Circle
The defeat inevitably drew comparisons to legendary radio commentator Bjørge Lillelien’s famous rant after Norway stunned England in 1981, declaring that English football’s greats had seen their boys take “a hell of a beating.”
Manchester City’s performance in Bodo belongs in the same folklore.
With a population of just 55,000 and fewer than 8,000 fans inside the stadium, Bodo/Glimt dismantled one of the wealthiest and most decorated clubs in world football.
The contrast could hardly be starker:
- Bodo/Glimt revenue (2024): £52m
- Manchester City revenue (2025): £694m
Yet on the pitch, it was the Norwegian champions who looked sharper, stronger, and tactically superior.
Why This Was No Fluke
Bodo/Glimt’s rise has been remarkable. A decade ago, they were playing in Norway’s second tier. Since then, they have:
- Won four league titles in six years
- Finished runners-up twice
- Reached the Europa League semi-finals last season
- Qualified for the Champions League group stage for the first time
Despite their domestic season ending in November, Glimt were anything but undercooked. In fact, it was City who froze.
“They had a game plan,” Sutton explained.
“They were happy to give up possession, but when they broke, they did it with pace and purpose. It should’ve been more than three goals.”
This was not a lucky upset — City were pummelled.
Guardiola’s Injury Crisis Exposed
Manchester City arrived in Norway severely depleted. Guardiola was without:
- Eight injured first-team players
- Suspended captain Bernardo Silva
- New signing Antoine Semenyo (ineligible)
As a result, Guardiola named City’s youngest-ever Champions League starting XI, with four players aged 21 or under.
Centre-back Max Alleyne, recalled from Championship side Watford, endured a nightmare Champions League debut and was at fault for the opening two goals.
Guardiola later admitted:
“Everything is going wrong.”
From Momentum to Misery in 2026
City ended 2025 in blistering form, winning eight consecutive matches. Since the turn of the year, however, their season has unravelled:
- Just two wins in seven games
- Back-to-back defeats, including a heavy loss to Manchester United
- Winless in the Premier League in 2026
“We have to move forward,” Guardiola said.
“The results since the end of 2025 have not been good. Today was an incredible opportunity, but the feeling is everything is going wrong.”
Haaland’s Struggles Add to the Concern
Even Erling Haaland, usually City’s reliable saviour, endured a forgettable night in his homeland. The Norwegian striker has now gone a month without an open-play goal, scoring just once — from the penalty spot — in his last eight games.
Despite recently calling for governing bodies to enforce 72-hour rest periods, Guardiola played Haaland for the full 90 minutes, while Omar Marmoush, fresh from the Africa Cup of Nations, was limited to a 20-minute cameo.
Rodri Suspension Compounds Problems
To make matters worse, midfield lynchpin Rodri will miss City’s crucial upcoming clash with Galatasaray after being sent off, receiving two yellow cards in just 53 seconds.
“We lost and there are many things against us,” Guardiola admitted.
“But I know how good this team is. We have to change the dynamic quickly.”
Blip or Bigger Problem for Manchester City?
This defeat cannot be dismissed as a freak result. The injury list, loss of form, tactical vulnerability, and mental fragility all point to deeper issues — ones City must address swiftly to avoid a damaging season.
Guardiola insists his squad can respond, but with Wolves and Galatasaray next, there is little time to regroup.
For now, Manchester City must confront a rare and uncomfortable truth: they were battered in Bodo — and it felt deserved.
Key Takeaways
- Manchester City lost 3-1 to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League
- The defeat was historic for Bodo/Glimt and humiliating for City
- Guardiola fielded his youngest-ever Champions League XI
- City are winless in the Premier League in 2026
- Injuries, suspensions, and poor form are mounting concerns
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