The UEFA Champions League 2025-26 knockout playoff 2nd leg big match between Inter Milan and Bodø/Glimt will take place at San Siro tomorrow.
After suffering a shocking 1-3 defeat in the 1st leg, all eyes are on whether Inter Milan can stage a dramatic comeback at home.
Can this small Norwegian club from beyond the Arctic Circle write another chapter of upset in Champions League history? The conclusion of this clash is one to watch.
Match Overview
| Category | Details |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League 25/26 Knockout Playoff 2nd Leg |
| Date & Time | Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 21:00 (CET) |
| Venue | Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), Milan |
| Broadcast | SPOTV NOW |
| 1st Leg Result | Bodø/Glimt 3 - 1 Inter Milan |
| Aggregate Score | Inter Milan 1 - 3 Bodø/Glimt |
Inter Milan finished 10th in the league phase with 15 points, failing to qualify directly for the Round of 16 but securing a spot in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Bodø/Glimt barely clinched a playoff ticket in 23rd place, but turned the situation completely around with a stunning 3-1 victory in the 1st leg.
Inter Milan must win by at least a two-goal margin on aggregate to advance to the Round of 16.
Team Form
Inter Milan
Inter Milan have been delivering dominant performances in Serie A.
With 20 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses in 25 matches, they sit atop the table with 61 points, holding nearly a 10-point lead over second-place AC Milan.
However, the mood in the Champions League has been quite different.
They underperformed in the league phase and were brought to their knees with a 1-3 loss away to Bodø/Glimt in the 1st leg.
The absence of Lautaro Martinez, who suffered a calf injury during the 1st leg, is particularly painful.
Medical examinations revealed a left calf gastrocnemius injury expected to keep him out for 3-4 weeks, making him unavailable not only for this 2nd leg but also questionable for the Milan derby.
Bodø/Glimt
Bodø/Glimt of the Norwegian Eliteserien have been on a remarkable journey in this season's Champions League.
Despite it being their debut season in the Champions League main stage, they have caused major upsets, including a 3-1 home victory over Manchester City and an away win against Atletico Madrid.
They swept up 7 points in their final 3 league phase matches to dramatically qualify for the playoffs in 23rd place, and followed it up with a 3-1 triumph over Inter Milan in the 1st leg.
Based in the city of Bodø, located above the Arctic Circle, the club also holds the title of being the most northerly team in Champions League history.
Another major advantage is that they head into the 2nd leg with a fully fit squad and no injury concerns.
1st Leg Review
The 1st leg held in Bodø, Norway on February 18 was nothing short of shocking.
Bodø/Glimt's Sondre Brunstad Fet opened the scoring just 20 minutes into the first half, setting the tone for the match.
Inter Milan equalized through Pio Esposito in the 30th minute, quickly restoring balance, but the second half proved to be the problem.
In the 61st minute, Jens Petter Hauge fired a powerful shot into the top corner to make it 2-1, and just 3 minutes later, Kasper Wartz Høy, assisted by Ole Blomberg, added a third to seal the deal.
To make matters worse, Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez was substituted in the second half with a calf injury, adding to the pain of defeat.
| Time | Team | Scorer | Score |
| 20' | Bodø/Glimt | Brunstad Fet | 1-0 |
| 30' | Inter Milan | Pio Esposito | 1-1 |
| 61' | Bodø/Glimt | Jens Petter Hauge | 2-1 |
| 64' | Bodø/Glimt | Kasper Høy | 3-1 |
Head-to-Head Record
The head-to-head record between Inter Milan and Bodø/Glimt surprisingly goes back quite far.
The two teams first met in the 1978 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
Back then, Inter Milan dominated with a 7-1 aggregate victory, but 48 years later, the situation has completely changed.
| Date | Competition | Result |
| 1978.10.18 | Cup Winners' Cup | Inter Milan 5-0 Bodø/Glimt |
| 1978.10.25 | Cup Winners' Cup | Bodø/Glimt 1-2 Inter Milan |
| 2026.02.18 | UCL Playoff 1st Leg | Bodø/Glimt 3-1 Inter Milan |
Predicted Lineups
Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu is expected to make significant changes to the lineup following the 1st leg defeat.
Marcus Thuram is set to replace the injured Lautaro Martinez, forming a front two with Pio Esposito.
Federico Dimarco, who was only a substitute in the 1st leg, is expected to return to the left wing-back position.
The good news is that Hakan Calhanoglu has returned to full training. While he is likely to start on the bench, he could be a valuable midfield option.
Inter Milan Predicted Formation: 3-5-2
| Position | Player |
| GK | Yann Sommer |
| CB | Manuel Akanji |
| CB | Francesco Acerbi |
| CB | Alessandro Bastoni |
| RWB | Matteo Darmian |
| CM | Nicolò Barella |
| CM | Piotr Zielinski |
| CM | Petar Sucic |
| LWB | Federico Dimarco |
| ST | Marcus Thuram |
| ST | Pio Esposito |
Bodø/Glimt Predicted Formation: 4-3-3
| Position | Player |
| GK | Nikita Haikin |
| RB | Fredrik Sjøvold |
| CB | Odin Luras Bjørtuft |
| CB | Jostein Gundersen |
| LB | Fredrik Bjørkan |
| CM | Håkon Evjen |
| CM | Patrick Berg |
| CM | Sondre Brunstad Fet |
| RW | Ole Blomberg |
| ST | Kasper Wartz Høy |
| LW | Jens Petter Hauge |
Key Players
Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
He is the most important figure tasked with filling the void left by Lautaro Martinez.
The French international striker has shown consistent scoring form in Serie A this season, with his powerful physique and pace-driven dribbling being his greatest weapons.
With Inter Milan needing to win by at least two goals, Thuram's clinical finishing is more crucial than ever.
All eyes will be on whether he can deliver an explosive performance with the passionate San Siro crowd behind him.
Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan)
Barella's presence after returning from injury could be the deciding factor in this match.
Having successfully returned to the starting lineup against Juventus, Barella is the heartbeat of Inter Milan's midfield.
With his box-to-box work rate, incisive forward passing, and willingness to shoot, if Barella takes the field at 100% fitness, Inter Milan's chances of a comeback increase significantly.
Jens Petter Hauge (Bodø/Glimt)
Hauge, who scored the crucial second goal in the 1st leg, is Bodø/Glimt's key attacker.
Operating from the left wing with sharp cutting dribbles and a powerful right foot, Hauge previously played for AC Milan, making San Siro familiar territory for him.
Remarkably, Hauge has maintained a consistent scoring run in this Champions League campaign, and his threat on the counter-attack will be a major concern for Inter Milan's defense.
Key Match Factors
1. Inter Milan's Early Tempo Control Is Crucial
Needing to overturn a two-goal deficit, Inter Milan must come out aggressively from the start.
Scoring at least one goal in the first half to seize control of the match is essential.
If they fail to score before halftime, mounting frustration could make the door to a comeback even narrower.
2. Bodø/Glimt's Away Goal Threat
If Bodø/Glimt score even one away goal, Inter Milan would need to score four or more goals on aggregate.
As they demonstrated in the 1st leg, Bodø/Glimt are an extremely sharp team on the counter-attack.
The more Inter Milan commit to attack, the greater the risk of exposure to counter-attacks, and this tactical dilemma will be the key variable of the match.
3. Timing of Calhanoglu's Introduction from the Bench
With Calhanoglu expected to start on the bench after his return from injury, the timing of his introduction could change the flow of the game.
When Calhanoglu, who is central to the regista role, comes on, Inter Milan's build-up play and tempo control elevate to another level.
The moment Chivu chooses to bring him on will be a tactically crucial decision.
What to Watch For
A European Night at San Siro
Throughout Champions League history, San Siro has been the stage for countless classic matches and dramatic comebacks.
Whether Inter Milan can recreate the 'magic of a European night' amid the electric atmosphere created by nearly 80,000 fans is the biggest talking point.
Notably, Inter Milan reached the Champions League final in the 2023-24 season, so whether their big-match DNA will come alive once again in this fixture is worth watching.
The Conclusion of a David vs. Goliath Story
Whether Bodø/Glimt, representing the small city of Bodø with a population of just 50,000, can write history by reaching the Champions League Round of 16 against Serie A champions and historic giants Inter Milan is another fascinating storyline.
Can the resilience that saw them defeat Manchester City and Atletico Madrid this season hold up at San Siro?
How far the challenge of the most northerly team in Champions League history can go — the conclusion is eagerly anticipated.
Match Prediction
Inter Milan are likely to claim victory at home through intense pressing and attacking firepower.
Considering their dominant performances in Serie A and the home advantage at San Siro, Inter Milan are expected to win this individual match.
However, overturning a two-goal aggregate deficit will not be easy.
The drop in attacking potency due to Lautaro Martinez's absence could prove to be a decisive weakness, and if Bodø/Glimt score even one away goal, a comeback for Inter Milan becomes nearly impossible.
Predicted Score: Inter Milan 3 - 1 Bodø/Glimt (Aggregate 4-4, heading to extra time)
We cautiously predict that Inter Milan will launch an all-out attack at San Siro to level the aggregate score and force extra time. However, if Bodø/Glimt manage an away goal, a historic Round of 16 qualification for Bodø/Glimt is an entirely plausible scenario.