Overview
NEC Nijmegen is only one round away from qualifying for the Champions League group stage. This is the fifth time the Dutch club has participated in an UEFA tournament and the first time since 2009. The third place in the Eredivisie last season was also the highest ranking in NEC history, thereby bringing them back to the European arena after 18 years.
Dick Schreuder's team defeated Olympiakos in the third qualifying round in a dramatic way. After a 0-0 draw in Greece, NEC won 2-1 in extra time in the second leg. This result put NEC into the play-offs, where they faced Bodo/Glimt to compete for a group stage spot.
NEC has also secured a ticket to a European tournament this season. If they cannot overcome Bodo/Glimt, they will move down to the Europa League. This helps the Dutch representative have a more comfortable mentality, although the biggest goal is still to create a historical milestone by participating in the Champions League.
Recent form also brought more confidence to NEC. After the defeat to Telstar in the opening match of the Eredivisie, they quickly responded with a 4-1 victory over Willem II. NEC's domestic schedule has also been adjusted so that they have more time to prepare for the play-off round.
On the other side, Bodo/Glimt possesses superior European experience. This is the fifth time the Norwegian team has participated in the Champions League since 2021. Last season, they made a splash when defeating famous opponents such as Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan on their journey to the round of 16.
Bodo/Glimt also just went through a tense qualifying round. After a 3-3 draw in the first leg with Union Saint-Gilloise, they won 3-2 in the second leg and won a ticket to the next round with a total score of 6-5. Andreas Helmersen scored the decisive goal in the 117th minute, ending a breathtaking match.
Kjetil Knutsen's team is still in high form in the domestic league. After being overtaken by Viking in the championship race last season, Bodo/Glimt has returned strongly with a 6-game winning streak since the summer break. They also scored 15 goals during this time.
Personnel situation
NEC Nijmegen is expected to be without Koki Ogawa and Sami Ouaissa in the first leg due to injury, while two center-backs Philippe Sandler and Perr Schuurs are also likely to be absent.
In midfield, Dusan Tadic continues to be one of the most experienced players of NEC. Since leaving Southampton, the Serbian midfielder has had at least 10 assists in 8 consecutive seasons at different clubs. Last season, he contributed 20 assists after 41 matches.
On the Bodo/Glimt side, coach Kjetil Knutsen is likely to continue to place his trust in Andreas Helmersen.
Supporting Helmersen in attack could be Ola Brynhildsen, Ole Blomberg or former AC Milan player Jens Petter Hauge.
Expected lineup:
Crettaz, Storm, Nuytinck, Fonville, Pereira, Monteiro, Nejasmic, Bischoff, Chery, Tadic, Linssen.
Bodo/Glimt: Haikin, Sjovold, Bjortuft, Gundersen, Bjorkan, Auklend, Berg, Fet, Blomberg, Helmersen, Hauge.
The match between NEC Nijmegen and Bodo/Glimt takes place at 2:00 AM on August 20 (Vietnam time).
