Schreuder concedes Bodø/Glimt outclassed NEC beyond expectations

In Nijmegen, NEC coach Ron Schreuder watched his side being outclassed by Norway’s Bodø/Glimt, a 1‑3 defeat that he described as a lesson in Champions League-voetbal. The loss on Wednesday left the Dutch side reeling, with the trainer admitting the performance was far from enjoyable.

Schreuder’s view of the Norwegian ‘machine’

Sander Jansse VIDick noted that Schreuder saw NEC receive a Champions League‑style lesson on Wednesday. De trainer was not enjoying the defeat against Bodø/Glimt, which proved extremely effective in Nijmegen. Schreuder said the Noorse team was even better than he had expected.

He told Tuesday’s forward‑looking press conference that he had been impressed by Bodø/Glimt long before the match. The NEC coach follows the Noorse side and trainer Kjetil Knutsen for years and called Bodø a ‘machine’. That machine turned out to be a size too big for NEC.

Schreuder highlighted the gap in level, pointing to the goals they conceded as evidence. “The difference in level you see in the goals we give away,” he said, adding that the match went too easily for the visitors.

After seeing Bodø/Glimt live, Schreuder said his picture of the team became clearer. “They are better than I thought, in every facet of the field. They have quality, but they are also a real team,” he explained.

NEC managed a late surge, creating chances that led to a 1‑3 scoreline and almost a 2‑3, earning applause from the supporters. Yet little joy remained for Schreuder after the match. He remarked that the trend might be linked to the way the Champions League is played, and that he is not happy when he loses, but he sees it as a boost for the week ahead.

The return trip to Norway on Tuesday will be a hellish task, perhaps impossible given Bodø’s strong home record. “That 1‑3 does something to the squad,” Schreuder said, stressing his belief in the team. He noted they had chances to score and will get them next week, adding that with a bit of luck they would have lost by just one goal.