In February 2022, at Aspmyra Stadion in Bodø, Norway, the Celtic football team faced a crucial match against Bodø/Glimt during the Europa Conference League knockout round. Manager Ange Postecoglou, clad in gloves and a warm jacket, stood on the sidelines as his squad prepared to overcome a 3-1 deficit from their previous encounter.
The match began poorly for Celtic, as Ola Solbakken scored for Bodø/Glimt just nine minutes in, marking a stark contrast to Celtic’s previous home defeat. Postecoglou watched in frustration as his team failed to capitalise on scoring opportunities, with Bodø/Glimt extending their lead to 2-0 through a goal from Hugo Vetlesen in the 69th minute. The 2-0 loss on the synthetic pitch left Celtic facing elimination and set the stage for a dismal return flight to Glasgow.
This defeat was no surprise; Bodø/Glimt had previously humiliated José Mourinho’s Roma with a 6-1 victory. The pride of Norway’s football scene, Bodø/Glimt has built a reputation for their formidable home performances in European competitions, consistently scoring against various opponents. Their historical record includes scoring three goals against Porto, two against Besiktas, and even five against FC Twente after trailing in the aggregate match.
In preparation for this challenging second leg, Postecoglou opted to train on the artificial turf, a strategic change from his approach with Celtic during the prior match. He emphasised the importance of adapting to the environment, stating that this strategy had worked effectively for other matches and that the players were accustomed to training the day before at the venue.
As Celtic prepared for this pivotal showdown, it was evident that Bodø/Glimt’s impressive goal-scoring habits posed a significant threat. With a Europa League final opportunity on the line for the Norwegian side, Postecoglou’s tactical adjustments would be vital in determining whether he could thwart the advancing show of local football prowess. As the anticipation built, the question remained: would the changes pay off and allow Celtic to turn the tide? Only time would reveal the outcome of this challenging battle in the heart of Norway.