It’s early January and Bodo/Glimt are holding a workforce assembly in Spain. It’s pre-season for them and the subject of discussing the marketing campaign forward comes up, together with how to pull off the inconceivable within the Champions League.
With simply 4 factors to their title, the Norwegian facet have failed to win any of their six league part matches – and should beat Manchester City and Atletico Madrid to stand any probability of reaching the play-off spherical.
Not solely do they have to beat two European giants to keep in Europe, however by that January assembly Bodo had solely performed one aggressive match – a Champions League draw away at Borussia Dortmund – since November 30. City and Atleti are within the midst of their seasons and are at prime health ranges.
“You kind of realise that: this is it,” says Bjorn Mannsverk, Bodo’s mentality coach, to Sky Sports in regards to the temper of the squad. “The feeling was: we’re now just going to play two more games and then we’ll focus on the Norwegian part of the season.”
But what has occurred since has defied logic.
Not solely did Bodo declare shock wins over City and Atleti – however they then beat last season’s Champions League finalists Inter Milan each house and away to attain the last 16. And not by probability, they did it convincingly, profitable 5-1 on aggreate.
Bodo’s inhabitants of round 54,000 may match into the stadia of 10 out of the 16 golf equipment that stay within the Champions League – but they stand amongst Europe’s elite, forward of their subsequent tie with Sporting CP within the last 16 on Wednesday.
So how did Kjetil Knutsen’s facet do it?
Mentality is an enormous a part of how Bodo/Glimt function. That’s why they’ve had Mannsverk – an active fighter pilot who uses his psychological training from his army days – in their dugout for a lot of the last decade.
Almost dismissing the Champions League as a write-off throughout the league part, viewing their probabilities of qualifying for the knockout phases as extremely unlikely, was a part of the method. “We took away a lot of the pressure,” says Mannsverk.
“We were quite clear that: ‘OK, from now on, there is no other reason to go on the pitch than just try to be ourselves, dare to be ourselves and be loyal to the plan.'”
But it is additionally value noting that Bodo are comparatively skilled on the European stage now. They reached the Europa League semi-finals last season, dropping to Spurs. Playing at enormous venues just like the San Siro has grow to be normalised. They know what’s coming by way of the context.
“We have been exposed now to big arenas for many years, but also to Champions League,” provides Mannsverk. “So I think by being exposed to that, you’re not that afraid.
“It’s very simple for the gamers to go: I’d seem calm, however I nonetheless really feel the stress. I nonetheless have this ticking feeling in my abdomen and it is extra normalised that it is regular.
“We’re not really working on getting rid of it. It’s more like it’s normal. And actually, you should be more worried if you don’t feel that stress before a game.
Active fighter pilot Bjorn Mannsverk is an vital a part of Bodo/Glimt’s success
“We are more robust. We don’t fall apart, even though the pressure is high, or the pressure on us is high. So we’re managing to do that. And each individual has taken many steps when it comes to be less afraid, in a way.
“I will not say that the gamers are unafraid, however they’re much less afraid. They dare to go on the market and do what they usually do.
“There’s a collective force that if I don’t take the chance now, if I don’t fight my own fear, I’m actually letting down my colleagues.
“So it is extra vital to be loyal than to take a look at your personal concern and what you might be combating. So it is all the time to discover the pressure and just remember to steadiness it the appropriate way.”
Taking on Europe’s biggest teams is a huge contrast to what Bodo face back home.
In the Norwegian top-flight, they are one of the dominant sides in terms of possession and attacking – but that switches in the Champions League when they hold the ball for just 46 per cent of the time.
In their two games against Inter, they had just 35 per cent of the ball – including 29 per cent at the San Siro – but still scored five times.
But what this Bodo team have learned is how to stay in a game, even without possession.
“We have made fairly, fairly huge leaps when it comes to sticking collectively, and being loyal to the sport plan. When you see extra gamers are loyal to the sport plan, then it is simpler for me to be loyal.
“We are becoming more loyal and we are resilient. We don’t break down. We are able to stay in difficult periods, stay together and just keep on working, believing that it will change.
“So that is one thing I see. We are extra mature as a workforce. We’ve type of grown up in a way, I might say, no less than with the gamers we have now.”
How Bodo beat Man City – and will they do the same against Sporting?
Man City had been blown away by Bodo once they visited the Artic Circle
The 3-1 win over Manchester City was deemed the turning level of Bodo’s Champions League season. For the Bodo gamers, seeing a nationwide hero in Erling Haaland up entrance and attempting to take care of him was a significant second in their careers.
So what was the ‘sport plan’ Bodo took when going through Pep Guardiola’s facet? Perhaps some Premier League groups, who additionally do not have City’s sources at their disposal, can be taught a number of issues.
“There wasn’t a lot of talking when it comes to Manchester City. It is just a team,” says Mannsverk.
“We knew that, even though it’s a very, very good team, that they also have some weaknesses. And that was the game plan.
“That’s the good thing about the way we have been working for thus very long time, that we won’t actually focus an excessive amount of on the opponents. We simply want to perceive them and attempt to determine what’s the strengths and what are the weaknesses.
“It doesn’t really matter if it’s Manchester City or it’s one of the Norwegian team, in a way. And also, I think that they look at it: ‘hey, this is going to be a great experience for us.’
“I imply, everyone goals of enjoying a sport like that. So, I feel that is taking away a variety of strain as effectively and stress.”
So Bodo have beaten Man City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan twice. Now they face a team away from Europe’s elite echelons in Sporting CP.
Some say, given the Norwegian side’s recent form, that they should view themselves as plucky favourites for the tie. Does that change Bodo’s underdog mentality?
“People are folks. I foresee it is going to be an element,” says Mannsverk. “You by no means know, but when it is not, then I shall be a little bit bit stunned as a result of we’re all human beings.
(*16*)But you additionally really feel: ‘hey, we’re so shut and I’m afraid of enjoying for the end result and not enjoying the efficiency.’ So that is the very best we will do.”
Bodo’s psychological philosophy, in accordance to Mannsverk, is ‘acceptance is vital’. As one among Europe’s smallest golf equipment, not to mention the Champions League’s, how do they settle for their present place as one of many 16 prime-performing sides?
