Bodo/Glimt not happy with 'strange' comment from Spurs player ahead of Europa League second leg
Dejan Kulusevski’s comments about the artificial pitch that Tottenham will encounter in Norway on Thursday have not gone down well with Bodo/Glimt’s Jostein Gunderson, who has now offered a pointed response to the Spurs midfielder.
Spurs carry a 3-1 advantage into the second leg and are very well-placed to book a place in the Europa League final.
One of the biggest talking points ahead of the semi-final second leg in Norway has been the artificial surface in Bodo, which travelling sides have had difficulty adapting to his season, particularly in the Europa League.
Ange Postecoglou has played down any concerns about playing on astroturf, insisting that his side only need to be focused on replicating the discipline and organisation they showed in the first leg.
Dejan Kulusevski’s statement attracts a sharp response from Bodo/Glimt
Kulusesvski also spoke about the challenge that lies ahead for Spurs in the second leg, and the Tottenham man admitted that it will be ‘strange’ to play on astroturf.
He said (TV 2 via Sport Witness) about the pitch that Tottenham will encounter in Norway: “It’s strange, but what are we going to do? It’s the way it is. It’s not something we can change. It’s going to be difficult because we have to have a different plan, it’s a slightly different sport. But we have to find a way to win.”
Jostein Gundersen has now pointed out that there is nothing Bodo/Glimt can do about their surface, given that their home venue, the Aspmyra Stadion, is situated north of the Arctic Circle.
The Norway international also played down the impact the surface will have on the contest.
Gundersen said in response to Kulusevski’s comments: “I wonder what he thinks we should do differently in Bodo city. If he had seen where we live, it’s not that easy to have anything other than artificial turf. There’s not that much of a difference. It’s still football and they should be good enough for that.”
Jostein Gundersen expects Tottenham to come out all guns blazing
The Bodo/Glimt centre-half is under no illusions about what to expect from the Premier League side, pointing out that it is their biggest game in half a decade.
He expects Postecoglou’s men to come well-prepared for the contest and look to take the game to the home side on Thursday.
Gundersen said about Bodo/Glimt’s opponents: “I think they will come very well prepared. For Spurs, it is their biggest match since they were in the Champions League final (2019). It is the most important match of the year. I think they will give everything they have to take us.”
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