Bodo/Glimt lead Sporting as Champions League surprise acts evoke Villarreal, APOEL and Malaga | OneFootball

Leading Sporting Portugal 3-0 from the first leg, Bodo/Glimt are well placed for the Champions League quarter-finals before Tuesday’s 18:45 return in Lisbon. According to Le Progres, several lightly decorated sides have upset the competition this century.

Villarreal’s 2005/2006 debut was near flawless. With three goals scored and one conceded in six matches, the Spanish club reached the last 16, then knocked out Rangers and Inter Milan.

The run ended in the semi-finals against Arsenal, 1-0 then 0-0, after Juan Roman Riquelme missed a penalty at El Madrigal. Coach Manuel Pellegrini said it owed more to work and conviction than any miracle.

In 2011/2012, Lyon drew APOEL Nicosia in the last 16 yet went out away after extra time, 1-0, 4-3 on penalties, having won the first leg 1-0. Goalkeeper Dionisios Chiotis said they achieved what few thought possible, before defeat to Real Madrid in the next round, 0-3 and 2-5. APOEL became the first Cypriot side to reach the knockouts.

Pellegrini repeated the trick with Malaga. On their first Champions League campaign they topped their group ahead of AC Milan without losing, then beat Porto 1-0 away and 2-0 at home. Borussia Dortmund, later finalists, halted them, 0-0 then 2-3.

Bodo/Glimt are not in the last 16 by accident. They reached the Europa League semi-finals last season and have not looked jaded this term.

They beat Manchester City 3-1 and Atlético Madrid 2-1, and drew 2-2 with Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund. In the play-offs they ousted Inter Milan, finalists of the 2025/2026 edition, with wins of 3-1 and 2-1. Forward Jens Hauge said the largely homegrown group believe in the project, and he leads their scoring with six goals.

Source: Le Progres