Bodo/Glimt Shock Manchester City in Dramatic Champions League Upset

Manchester City endured a crushing 3-1 loss to Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday, as the Norwegian underdogs delivered one of the most astonishing surprises in Champions League records.

Pep Guardiola's team were overwhelmed by Kasper Hogh's two goals in the opening half and a stunning second-half effort from Jens Petter Hauge at the jubilant Aspmyra Stadion.

Rayan Cherki pulled one back shortly after Hauge's strike, but Rodri's sending off for two yellow cards left City in disarray, allowing Bodo/Glimt to savour their maiden victory in the Champions League group stage.

In a coastal town located 200km north of the Arctic Circle, the 2023 European title holders were frozen out in sub-zero conditions of minus two degrees.

Bodo's population of just 55,000 could nearly fill the seats at City's Etihad Stadium.

However, Kjetil Knutsen's outsiders bridged the vast financial and quality divide to hand the Premier League powerhouse a sobering setback.

Bodo/Glimt, who last played in December following the close of the Norwegian campaign, made it to the Europa League semi-finals in the previous season, a notable achievement that underscored their impressive ascent over the past ten years.

In their debut Champions League group stage, Bodo/Glimt had previously secured respectable draws versus Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham.

City overlooked the alert, displaying little intensity against Bodo/Glimt's tireless pressure.

They arrived in Norway ahead of Guardiola's typical timeline to let his squad train on Bodo/Glimt's synthetic surface.

Still, they appeared completely uncoordinated in yet another erratic performance during a challenging campaign.

City remain without a victory in their past four Premier League outings, following Saturday's 2-0 reverse at Manchester United, which positioned them seven points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.

Guardiola must be concerned by City's back-to-back feeble capitulations, which undermine the Spanish coach's assertion that his team had regained their drive after a trophyless previous term.

The City manager had mentioned intending to view the Northern Lights from his accommodation prior to the game, yet that might be his sole positive recollection from one of the most mortifying defeats in his illustrious tenure.

City's concluding group stage match is versus Galatasaray at home on January 28, as they aim to secure a direct spot in the last 16 through a top-eight position.

Sloppy City

Bodo/Glimt grabbed a surprising lead in the 22nd minute.

It was a chaotic goal to allow, highlighting the backline problems that prompted Guardiola to acquire England central defender Marc Guehi.

Max Alleyne, who was on loan at second-division Watford at the start of this season, revealed his inexperience by mishandling a long ball over the defence.

Ole Didrik Blomberg capitalised on the error, delivering a cross to the back post, where Hogh found space to nod the ball through Gianluigi Donnarumma's legs.

If that seemed inadequate, City suffered for another Alleyne lapse merely two minutes afterwards.

With City's backline misplaced after Alleyne was beaten by a bouncing ball, Blomberg's delivery located Hogh, who was entirely free to poke home past Donnarumma with composure.

City forward Erling Haaland struggled again over extended spells and has managed only one goal in eight appearances across all tournaments, having squandered two decent opportunities towards the end of the first half.

City showed no progress post-interval, and Bodo/Glimt landed the decisive punch in the 58th minute.

Rodri surrendered the ball, enabling Hauge to bend a superb shot into the upper corner from distance.

Cherki responded two minutes on with a sharp effort from just outside the box.

However, City's woes deepened in the 62nd minute when Rodri received his marching orders for challenges on Evjen and Blomberg within a mere 54 seconds.