FK Bodø/Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur – Second Leg Tactical Preview

Aspmyra Stadion, Bodø/Glimt

FK Bodø/Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur – Second Leg Tactical Preview

Venue: Aspmyra Stadion, Bodø – Artificial Turf | Aggregate: Spurs 3–1 Bodø/Glimt

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Context: The Shift in Terrain

Tottenham take a two-goal lead into the Arctic Circle,

It's a strong position, but not a safe one.

Aspmyra Stadion’s synthetic surface, narrow confines, and frenzied local support turn this into a hostile cauldron where top teams in their respective countries and teams with bage of European experience have collapsed before (Roma, AZ Alkmaar, Celtic, Lazio). 

FK Bodø/Glimt train and play all season on artificial turf, which speeds up ball movement, rewards first-time passing, and gives them a home advantage unlike almost any in Europe.

For Spurs, managing the pitch, the tempo, and the transitions will be crucial.

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What to Expect from FK Bodø/Glimt

Despite trailing, Bodø/Glimt will not panic.

Their coach Kjetil Knutsen will double down on their relentless high-pressing 4-3-3. 

They’ll look to force early turnovers, pin Spurs back in our own third, and create chaos.

Expect:

• Wave after wave of wide overloads, especially down their right flank, combining with quick one-twos between winger, full-back, and central midfielder

• Midfielders like Ulrik Saltnes and Albert Grønbæk timing late underlapping runs into the box

• Patrick Berg dictating tempo in build-up and firing vertical passes through the lines

They’ll also take more shots from distance than usual, partly because the slick turf allows for true strikes, and partly because they need two goals.

My takeaway from the first leg was some smart movement down their left-hand side that bypassed our midfield easily.

We gave them space and perhaps that may be a mistake on their pitch, where turning will be slower, but the ball moving will be faster.

Key threat: Amahl Pellegrino (left forward)

Pellegrino loves to cut inside and shoot on his right foot.

If he’s given space, he can shift momentum quickly. 

He’s also relentless in transition and dangerous arriving at the back post.

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How Spurs Should Approach It

Spurs are without James Maddison, our primary creative outlet and rhythm-setter.

That alters the attacking structure. 

Expect Kulusevski to take on more central responsibility, but Spurs should not overcommit numbers forward. 

The goal is not to outscore Bodø/Glimt, it’s to control space and time.

We don't have to win, we just have to go through, that's the goal.

Tottenham Hotspur Tactical Priorities:

1. Kill Their Momentum Early
   Don’t retreat into a low block, that invites Bodø forward. Instead, use our superior technical quality to circulate possession and frustrate the press.

2. Escape the Wide Overloads
   Bodø will target the flanks. Spurs’ wingers must defend back to the full-backs to avoid 2v1s. The holding midfielder (likely Bissouma or Bentancur) must slide across to help when full-backs get pulled wide.

3. Use the Half-Spaces and Transitions
   Glimt’s full-backs push high, meaning Tottenham Hotspur can spring attacks into the channels behind them, especially using Tel, Richarlison, Odobert or Johnson. Kulusevski’s diagonal carries could be vital here.

4. Be Clinical on the Break
   A single away goal kills the tie. One well-executed counter can leave Bodø needing three. Spurs must be ruthless in moments where Bodø lose shape in transition.

5. Beware the Surface
   Passes skid. Tackles slide. Judging bounces and controlling tempo will be harder. Spurs must be extra sharp with:

   • First touch

   • Defensive clearances

   • Tracking runners (especially from deeper midfield)

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What Spurs Must Avoid

• Passive build-up in the first 15 minutes
  If Spurs start flat and surrender territory, Bodø will feed off the energy. A fast Glimt goal completely resets the tie.

• Overplaying through the middle
  Without Maddison, the central zone won’t be as fluid. Spurs should lean more on quick switches of play, using full-backs or wide triangles to bypass Glimt’s midfield press.

• Inviting second balls in their own third
  The turf means the ball doesn’t stop bouncing. If Spurs clear poorly, Glimt midfielders like Grønbæk will strike quickly on the loose ball.

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Game Plan: Control, Silence, Kill

Spurs don’t need to go to war.

They need to:

• Survive the early storm

• Frustrate Glimt’s rhythm

• Strike once to kill hope

If Tottenham Hotspur score first, it’s virtually over.

But if we concede early, Glimt will believe. 

And in this stadium, belief has turned into bedlam before.

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Predicted Tactical Tweaks

• Spurs Midfield: Postecoglou may opt for a 4-3-3 with both Bissouma and Bentancur for control, using Kulusevski in the #8/#10 hybrid

• Bodø/Glimt Front Foot: Full-backs will play like wingers, so Spurs’ wide forwards must be ready to defend deep and then spring the trap on the counter

• Set-Pieces: Bodø are not physically dominant. Spurs could target them with near-post runs on corners and crosses, possibly an edge without Maddison, if deliveries are smart

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Prediction

If Spurs stay calm, we go through.

But if we:

• lose control of the tempo...

• Start slowly...

• Fail to deal with second balls...

…then this tie isn’t over yet.

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COYS

A topical article to accompany this: How about the WARZONE of NEGATIVITY article; a lesson in how to perpetuate failure!