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THURSDAY | JAN 22, 2026

Malaysian Paper

Battered in Bodo Guardiola says something needs to change after shock in Arctic Circle

P EP GUARDIOLA (caricature) admits Manchester City need to “change the dynamic quick” after they crashed to a shock 3-1 defeat to Bodo/Glimt in the Arctic Circle. City, missing a host of players, had Rodri sent off as they were stunned by the Norwegians in the Champions League yesterday – a result that compounded recent woes after a downturn in domestic results. City’s Premier League title hopes have taken a hit after a run of four games without a win, a sequence that includes Saturday’s demoralising derby loss at Manchester United. Now their prospects of securing an auto matic place in the last 16 in the European com petition hinge on a crunch final league phase game against Galatasaray next week. “Everything has started to be, since the new year, against (us) in many, many things,” Guardiola told reporters at a press conference. “I know how good a team Bodo are. I didn’t underestimate them. There is not much I know but they (reached the) semifinal last season of the Europa League and they were fresh in mind. “We arrived in some departments without important players who give consistency to the team. They are a little bit fragile, (as) they were last season in a certain period. “How they fought 10 against 11, a lot of play ers made a step up, but we have to change the dynamic quick for the next game against Wolves and after that the last game against Galatasaray.” City’s only victories in 2026 have come in domestic cup ties against Exeter, of League One, and Newcastle. Yet they were without 11 senior players in Norway through either injury, illness, suspen sion or ineligibility. Guardiola said: “It was an incredible oppor tunity for us and the feeling is that everything (that can be) going wrong, is going (wrong) in many, many details. That is a fact and you have to try to change it.” Guardiola scoffed at a suggestion his team was flat. “I do not agree,” he said. “Bodo were really good and we congratulate them. We can not say anything else.” The scoreline actually flattered City, who were rocked by two quickfire first half goals from Kasper Hogh and a stun

ning strike after the break by Jens Petter Hauge. Rayan Cherki pulled one back but Rodri’s dismissal for two bookings in quick succession just after the hour ended hopes of a fightback. City were fortunate not to concede again as Hogh had an effort disallowed and Hauge hit the woodwork. Guardiola refused to criticise Rodri as he continued to struggle in what has been a diffi cult comeback season to date after suffering a serious knee injury last term. He said: “It was a difficult situation. We lost the ball. We made a transition but they are fast and sometimes you react. It’s little bit soft, the second one, but it is what it is.” As victories for Norwegian football teams against English sides go, Bodo/Glimt’s triumph over City is near the top of the list. “City have caused themselves a bit of a prob lem by not winning the game because they don’t want to go into the playoffs,” former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live . “Now if they don’t beat Galatasaray, that may happen. That’s not where they want to be, espe cially with the squad as depleted as it has been. “It’s important they find a win and start building that confidence. It’s an embarrassing night for them.” Glimt’s league season ended in November, agonisingly losing the title by a point to Viking, so they were well rested before facing City hav ing not played in six weeks since a draw against Borussia Dortmund. “What a performance from Bodo/Glimt,” added Sutton. “We wondered whether they’d come into the game, with the break, whether they’d be undercooked. It was Manchester City who froze on the evening. “Bodo/Glimt had a game plan. They were happy to give up possession, but when they broke, they broke with pace and velocity. It should’ve been more than three. “People will look at this as a farmers league beating a Premier League team, but they’ve thoroughly deserved it.

“Bodo/Glimt haven’t just beaten Man City, they have pummelled them. City got battered in Bodo. It has not been a fluke.” – The Independent/Agencies

Gunners seal top-two finish

Real stars shine - Story on page 29

- Story on page 30

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