Bodo/Glimt coach targets dominance in Champions League clash with Union
Union Saint-Gilloise faces a stern test on Tuesday at 20:00 against Bodo/Glimt in the third Champions League qualifying round. Last season, the Norwegians defeated both Manchester City and Atlético Madrid in the group stage.
- Published on 03-08-2026 at 19:44
- in Ostend, Belgium
Kjetil Knutsen, the Norwegian head coach, acknowledged on Monday in the mostly empty press room of the KVDO Arena in Ostend that his team faces a “very strong opponent.” “This is a team that plays physically and directly. We know their strengths and weaknesses, but we also have our own identity. We have a solid base plan and want to control the match. We always play offensively, both at home and away, so we won’t just sit back for 90 minutes.”
Union Saint-Gilloise and Bodo/Glimt met once before, in October 2024, during the Europa League group stage. The match ended in a 0-0 draw at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Knutsen, who has led the Norwegian side since early 2018, recalls the encounter but insists Union has become “a different team.” “They still have a few players from back then, but their concept remains the same: they integrate new players seamlessly into their system, help them grow, and then sell them at a profit. Like us, they aren’t one of the biggest teams in the world, but they’ve evolved over the years. In Belgium, they’re now one of the top two teams, alongside Club Bruges. They’ve done an outstanding job.”
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