Italy’s AC Milan finished the 2019-20 season in excellent form, qualifying for the Europa League in sixth place. The Rossoneri now face off with Norway’s Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League third qualifying round.
Bodo/Glimt finished second in the Norwegian Eliteserien in 2019 and currently sit at the top of the division. The Norwegian club are running away with the Eliteserien and are 16 points ahead of their nearest rival after 18 games.
Unlike AC Milan, Bodo/Glimt are in great midseason form in the spring to autumn Eliteserien. AC Milan started the Serie A campaign last weekend, claiming a 2-0 win versus Bologna.
Tomorrow the Coach will be presenting our second #UEL match. Tune in to get the full scoop ahead of the game! 🎙️👉🏼 https://t.co/k2zluibzhx 👈🏼Domani non perderti la conferenza stampa di Mister Pioli, in diretta sulla nostra App 🎙️ #SempreMilan #MilanGlimt pic.twitter.com/Ahr9M4rnis— AC Milan (@acmilan) September 22, 2020
Tomorrow the Coach will be presenting our second #UEL match. Tune in to get the full scoop ahead of the game! 🎙️👉🏼 https://t.co/k2zluibzhx 👈🏼Domani non perderti la conferenza stampa di Mister Pioli, in diretta sulla nostra App 🎙️ #SempreMilan #MilanGlimt pic.twitter.com/Ahr9M4rnis
The Rossoneri entered the Europa League at the second qualifying round. They defeated Shamrock Rovers 2-0 away from home thanks to goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Hakan Calhanoglu.
Bodo/Glimt began the Europa League in the first qualifying round. They defeated Kauno Zalgris 6-1 before hammering Zalgris 3-1.
There is no doubt Bodo/Glimt are taking a step up in competition against AC Milan. Bodo/Glimt have not been shy in front of goal this term in Norway. They have scored 65 goals in 18 games. AC Milan’s defence should be very difficult to break down, however, compared to those in Norway.
The Rossoneri’s defence will need to corral Bodo/Glimt’s top scorers. Jens Petter Hauge has scored 14 goals on the domestic front. Phillip Zinckernagel and Kasper Junker have combined for 24 additional goals in the Eliteserien.
AC Milan have played twice this term in all competitions. Ibrahimovic, despite his age, remains the team’s top attacker. Ibrahimovic has tallied three goals in two games for the Italians.
This will be the first ever meeting between AC Milan and Bodo/Glimt. AC Milan have kept back to back clean sheets in all competitions. Coach Stefano Pioli has installed a strong defence at the San Siro. They conceded just 46 times in Serie A last term.
AC Milan went unbeaten in 12 straight Serie A games in 2019-20 and started this season with back to back victories in all competitions. The Rossoneri are improving under Pioli. They should claim a win this week and continue their progress in the Europa League.
The Rossoneri did not play in Europe last term. They should make up for that lack of European play with a strong win against Bodo/Glimt to progress to the playoff round. AC Milan will face off with either Hungary’s Fehervar or France’s Reims in the playoffs.
Expect a third win to nil from AC Milan in all competitions. Don’t be shocked to see the big Swede, Ibrahimovic, get on the scoresheet.