Inter Milan head to Bodø for Champions League playoff first leg

European night awaits at Aspmyra Stadion in 2025/26 showdown

Inter Milan are ready to step back onto the European stage. The Nerazzurri travel to Norway to face Bodø/Glimt in the first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League playoff, a fixture set for the Aspmyra Stadion, home of the yellow and black side.

It is a night shaped by history, numbers and renewed ambition.

Previous meetings

This will not be the first encounter between Inter Milan and Bodø/Glimt. The two clubs met in the Round of 16 of the 1978/79 Cup Winners’ Cup. 

The first leg at San Siro was one sided, with Inter Milan, coached by Eugenio Bersellini, winning 5-0 through goals from Beccalossi, a hat trick from Altobelli and a strike from Muraro.

The return leg also went Inter Milan’s way. After the Norwegian side briefly took the lead, Altobelli scored from the penalty spot and Scanziani sealed a 2-1 victory.

For Inter Milan, this will be only their third European match played in Norway. The most recent came in September 2022 with a 2-2 draw against Rosenborg. 

The other was the 2-1 win against Bodø/Glimt in October 1978.

Inter Milan’s European journey so far

Inter Milan began their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win away to Ajax, thanks to a Marcus Thuram brace. 

A 3-0 home victory over Slavia Prague followed, with Lautaro scoring twice and Dumfries adding another.

A dominant 4-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels made it three out of three. Inter Milan then beat Kairat Almaty 2-1 at San Siro to make it four consecutive victories.

Defeats against Atletico Madrid (2-1), Liverpool (0-1) and Arsenal (1-3) slowed momentum, but Inter Milan closed the League Phase with a statement 2-0 win in Dortmund. 

Goals from Dimarco and Diouf secured tenth place and a seeded spot in the playoff draw.

Key numbers: Dimarco and Lautaro

Inter Milan have built much of their attacking play down the left flank, with 41.1 percent of offensive actions developing from that side, the highest share in the League Phase. Federico Dimarco has been central, creating 11 chances in the competition.

Lautaro Martinez continues to climb Inter Milan history. 

With 25 Champions League goals for Inter Milan, he trails only Alessandro Del Piero (42 with Juventus), Filippo Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko (both 29 with Milan) among players for Italian clubs.

Playoff dates

First leg:
Wednesday 18 February 2026
Bodø/Glimt vs Inter Milan, 21:00 CET

Second leg:
Tuesday 24 February 2026
Inter Milan vs Bodø/Glimt, 21:00 CET

The eight teams advancing from the playoffs will move on to the Round of 16, with the draw scheduled for Friday 27 February 2026.

The opponent: Bodø/Glimt

Qualification for the 2025/26 Champions League marked a historic achievement for Bodø/Glimt. 

Not long ago, the club was on the brink of financial collapse, saved by community fundraising and local support.

Since winning their first Eliteserien title in 2020, they have added three more league triumphs through 2024. Last season, they finished second, just one point behind Viking.

In Europe, Bodø/Glimt reached the Europa League semi final last season before being eliminated by Tottenham. 

Now financially stable within Norway, they continue to grow through youth development and identity.

Head coach Kjetil Knutsen, in charge since 2018, is widely regarded as the architect of this transformation. His project focuses as much on mentality as on tactics.

Their European path this season included a 5-0 win over Sturm Graz in qualifying, followed by a strong League Phase campaign featuring draws with Slavia Prague and Tottenham, victories over Manchester City (3-1) and Atletico Madrid (2-1), and a competitive defeat to Juventus.

One name stands out: Jens Petter Hauge. He is the only player in the competition to have created at least 20 chances and completed at least 20 dribbles in the League Phase. A constant threat, he leads the tournament in chances created after carrying the ball.

Inter Milan travel north aware that history favors them, but also knowing that in Norway, under the Arctic lights, surprises can bloom quickly.

Source: inter.it