After a disappointing weekend for Manchester City in domestic football, the Premier League champions have swiftly refocused on their European ambitions.
On Tuesday evening, Pep Guardiola’s side travel to the Aspmyra Stadion to face Bodø/Glimt in their penultimate 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league‑phase match, determined to consolidate a top‑eight position and avoid the knockout play‑offs.
Champions League Format & Stakes
In the latest Champions League format, teams play eight different opponents across the league phase, with standings across all 36 clubs determining progression:
Top 8 teams qualify automatically for the Round of 16.
Teams ranked 9–24 enter a two‑-legged play‑off for last‑16 spots.
Placements 25–36 are eliminated.
City currently sit fourth in the standings with 13 points after six matches, well placed after notable wins — including away success at Real Madrid — and only one defeat in the competition so far.
A positive result in Norway would significantly strengthen their chances of bypassing the extra play‑off round and sealing direct progression.
Man City’s Recent Form & Buildup
City’s build‑up hasn’t been seamless. They suffered a 2‑0 defeat at Manchester United at the weekend, ending a long unbeaten run across competitions.
Guardiola, however, insisted the squad doesn’t dwell on that result, choosing instead to focus on the task in hand in Europe.
“We’re immediately thinking about this competition, the chance we have to finish in the top eight,” he said in the pre‑match press conference.
Guardiola has also managed recent fitness concerns. Key players such as Phil Foden are available, albeit injured, while injuries to central defenders (including Rúben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and John Stones) have seen City dip into the transfer market with the signing of Marc Guéhi — though he isn’t eligible to play in Norway.
Bodø/Glimt: Norway’s Challengers
Bodø/Glimt have been one of European football’s intriguing stories in recent years, known for their dynamic, attacking style.
Despite this season’s struggles in the Champions League — with no wins and just three draws from six matches — they remain capable of causing upsets, especially on home soil and on the artificial pitch at Aspmyra, which can be an adjustment for visiting teams.
Their attacking threat has been spearheaded by forwards such as Kasper Høgh and Jens Petter Hauge, and while defensive options have been hit by suspension and injury, Bodø/Glimt will be buoyed by their passionate supporters and belief that they can spring a surprise.
Tactical & Squad Notes
Pre‑match analyses suggest Guardiola could rotate his squad with a balance of experience and youth, looking to maintain control in midfield while providing service for leading forward Erling Haaland, who remains City’s primary goal threat in Europe.
Predicted lineups from various outlets include combinations such as Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, with Rodri anchoring midfield and Haaland leading the attack — though tactical tweaks are expected given the unique conditions.
Conclusion: A Pivotal European Night
While domestic concerns persist for Manchester City, their European campaign remains a key priority.
A strong performance in Norway not only strengthens their position in the Champions League standings but also avoids the added pressure of the February play‑offs — a stage where they were tested in last season’s campaign.
As Guardiola puts it, “If we win tomorrow, it puts us in a good position to finish in the top eight.”
Whether City can assert their quality under challenging conditions in Bodø remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: European progression hangs in the balance this Tuesday night.
