Football
'Exciting Times at Bodø' Following Porto Win Ahead of Old Trafford Date
Former Bodø Glimt midfielder Dominic Chatto praises the team’s strong start in the Europa League after beating FC Porto. Chatto believes they’re ready for the upcoming Manchester United challenge.
Image Credits: Matchdax
Former Bodø Glimt midfielder Dominic Chatto has lauded the effervescence of the side, reiterating it is exciting times at the Nordland County club following their great start in the UEFA Europa League yesterday and believes the upcoming clash with Manchester United is quite a challenge, but their start will push them to try to achieve a great result in the competition.
Bodø, taking in their first ever campaign in the Europa League made a great start to the competition, dispatching tournament favourites FC Porto 3-2 on the night, thanks to a brace from Frankfurt loanee, Jens Hauge and an effort from Kasper Høgh.
Chatto who made over 44 appearances for the Eliteserien side between 2014 and 2015 praised the dynamism of the team, having previously waxed lyrical about how decisive their attack could be when they competed for a berth in the primary European club competition, the Champions League.
Porto win a welcome development
Speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com, Chatto was effusive on how well the team worked to the best of their abilities, despite playing a large part of the game a man short.
Centre referee Orel Grinfeld had sent off Määttä on a second booking for simulation after just 51 minutes, but the hosts stayed compact and even added a third goal to make things difficult for their rivals.
"You can already see how direct and efficient these guys can be when they come at you", Chatto said. "They clearly showed that. On the break, they can be devastating so beating a tough opponent like Porto will only help push them to their limits."
These kind of games against strong clubs like this [despite playing a man down] can go a long way to shape your destiny in a top competition like the Europa League.
Dominic Chatto
Manchester United test will be tough, but Bodø will come prepared
Bodø will travel to Manchester in November in one of their group stage games and while that promises to be one of their sternest tests at this level, Chatto reckons the club can look forward with excitement facing their illustrious English Premier League opposition, and can set themselves up for that clash with some even better results.
"These are exciting times for everyone at the club, and playing Manchester United in Europe is a really huge game for the team, the players, the coaches, they can look at it and know that they are doing a good job. If they pull off a surprise, that is even better. Of course, nobody will expect them to win, so you know why it is even better. Just like very few will expect them to beat Porto."
"What is certain is that every one of them will definitely embrace the challenge and give it their best", the midfielder who had previously featured for Häcken and Ordabasy in the Europa League preliminaries added.
Høgh, Hauge will light up the competition
The duo has been a revelation for Bodø thus far this season, and Chatto believes they will hurt unsuspecting opponents.
Having combined to devastating effect yesterday, the midfielder reckons this is just a chip of what they can do.
"I can tell you that these two will hurt. They will hurt some opponents who do very little to stop them. They complement each of other, they play to suit and bring out the best from their teammates and the results is there for everyone to see."
Since he broke loose from the shackles of long hours huddled up in a hot classroom learning Mandarin Chinese and Pinyin at the famous Confucius Institute, UNIZIK, Emmanuel Chinaza has embraced sports and football in particular, and it helped that he grew up in the football-crazy city of Anambra.