Bodo/Glimt sporting director Havard Sakariassen has warned Tottenham Hotspur that his side have improved in leaps and bounds since their last meeting four months ago.
Spurs are preparing to take on the Norwegian champions at Aspmyra Stadion and have been warned that they have a serious battle on their hands.
Thomas Frank’s side got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start, easing past La Liga side Villarreal with a 1-0 win.
They’d be keen to repeat that trick on Tuesday night, although Bodo/Glimt have made it clear that they do not plan to roll over for the Europa League champions.
Bodo out for vengeance
Bodo/Glimt made history last season with a fantastic Europa League run. They took down Olympiacos and Lazio on their way to the semi-finals.
However, their dream of going all the way was thwarted by Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs troops, losing 5-1 on aggregate across both legs.
Both sides will now renew hostilities in the Champions League, and Bodo are keen to get their revenge in their maiden home fixture in the competition.
“Tottenham actually played a really good game here at Aspmyra against us,” Sakariassen said (via BBC).
“For us, it was a lot of learning. It means we have since then changed and worked in a slightly better and more reflective way to see if we can realise the potential in the physical side of our players.
“I think that made us stronger, and hopefully, we will see that when we see them again that we actually moved up a step. That will be interesting.”
Tottenham will head into this fixture with a new manager in charge after Frank replaced Postecoglou.
By comparison, Kjetil Knutsen is in his seventh season as Bodo head coach and has led the club to two league titles and now the Champions League.
Sakariassen was careful not to criticise Tottenham’s decision to sack Postecoglou despite ending their 17-year wait for a trophy, but pointed out the difference in the vision of both clubs.
“It is Tottenham’s decision how they choose to run the club,” he said.
“It’s a tough business. We all have respect for the regime that was there when we met them last time. I think they have a great manager now too.”