With a 3-0 lead over Sporting de Portugal after the first leg, Bodo/Glimt arrives well positioned for the quarterfinals of the Champions League before the second leg on Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. in Lisbon. According to Le Progrès, several teams with little record of achievements have surprised the competition so far this century.
Villarreal’s debut in the 2005/2006 season was almost flawless. With three goals for and one against in six games, the Spanish club reached the round of 16 and then eliminated Rangers and Inter Milan.
The streak ended in the semi-finals against Arsenal, 1-0 and then 0-0, after Juan Román Riquelme missed a penalty at El Madrigal. Coach Manuel Pellegrini said it was more due to work and conviction than any miracle.
In 2011/2012, Lyon faced APOEL Nicosia in the round of 16 and lost away from home in extra time, 1-0, 4-3 on penalties, after having won the first leg 1-0. Goalkeeper Dionisios Chiotis said they achieved what few thought possible, before losing to Real Madrid in the next round, 0-3 and 2-5. APOEL became the first Cypriot team to reach the knockout rounds.
Pellegrini repeated the feat with Málaga. In their first Champions League appearance, they topped their group ahead of AC Milan without losing, and then beat Porto 1-0 away and 2-0 at home. Borussia Dortmund, ultimately the finalist, stopped them, 0-0 and then 2-3.
Bodo/Glimt are not in the second round by accident. Last season they reached the semi-finals of the Europa League and this season they have not shown fatigue.
They beat Manchester City 3-1 and Atlético de Madrid 2-1, and drew 2-2 with Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund. In the play-offs they eliminated Inter Milan, finalist of the 2025/2026 edition, with 3-1 and 2-1 wins. Striker Jens Hauge said that the group, largely from home, believes in the project, and leads his tally with six goals.