Bodø/Glimt vs Inter Milan: Mkhitaryan Issues Stark Warning
Inter Milan veteran Henrikh Mkhitaryan has cautioned his teammates against complacency ahead of their Europa League knockout playoff clash against Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt. The Armenian midfielder emphasized the need to respect their opponents, acknowledging their impressive home record and recent European successes.
A Challenging Opponent
Despite a strong showing in the league phase, Inter failed to secure a top-eight finish, leading to this two-legged tie. While the Nerazzurri are favored to advance to the Round of 16, Mkhitaryan is acutely aware of the challenge Bodø/Glimt presents. The Norwegian side, despite a slow start to their league phase, dramatically turned their fortunes around with back-to-back victories against formidable opponents – Atletico Madrid and Manchester City – securing their place in the knockouts.
This encounter marks the first meeting between Inter and Bodø/Glimt since the late 1970s, with the Norwegian champions aiming for a historic third consecutive win in the competition, a feat they’ve yet to achieve.
Mkhitaryan’s Concerns: Respecting the Opposition
Speaking to Inter TV via FCInterNews, Mkhitaryan stated, “Tonight we have to play well and avoid mistakes. We know it’s not easy to play here. Therefore, we must do our best to get a good result ahead of the second leg. It’s a ground where we’ve never played before, and we know it won’t be simple.”
He further highlighted the unique challenges posed by the artificial pitch, stating, “The pitch is artificial, but we won’t look for excuses. We have to give our best to win because we know many teams have struggled here, and we must avoid embarrassing ourselves.” The artificial surface is a known difficulty for visiting teams, and Mkhitaryan has personal experience with it, recalling two unfavorable experiences with Roma at the same venue.
Squad Depth and Mental Fortitude
Inter will be without several key players, including Hakan Calhanoglu. However, Mkhitaryan stressed the importance of squad unity and commitment. “Whoever plays tonight, or comes on, has to give their all for the team. That’s what matters in the end. The coach rotates the squad regularly, and we all want to do our part,” he added.
Addressing the team’s mental state following recent events surrounding Alessandro Bastoni, Mkhitaryan remained optimistic. “We’ll see in a few minutes. We’ll step onto the pitch to give our best. We’re ready.”
Key to Victory: Avoiding Past Mistakes
Mkhitaryan, speaking to Prime Video via FCInterNews, emphasized the need to learn from the mistakes of previous opponents. “We must avoid the mistakes Bodo’s previous opponents made and try to hurt them.” He acknowledged the difficult conditions, including the harsh Arctic weather, but reiterated the team’s determination to secure a positive result.
Inter Milan will need to be at their best to overcome Bodø/Glimt and continue their European journey. Mkhitaryan’s warning serves as a timely reminder that underestimating any opponent can prove costly in European competition.
