Lazio Draws with Bodø/Glimt in Tense Europa League Clash

ROME, Italy — In a gripping match on April 17, 2025, Lazio and Bodø/Glimt battled to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final at the Stadio Olimpico. Both teams put forth a strong performance, but individual errors led to key scoring opportunities that resulted in a tie.

Lazio started strong, controlling possession early and taking the lead with a goal by Leny Yoro just before halftime. Bodø/Glimt responded with a second-half equalizer from Andreas Helmersen in the 64th minute. The back-and-forth continued as Lazio regained the lead with a close-range effort from Tijjani Noslin. However, Rayan Cherki leveled the match again in stoppage time, scoring in the 94th minute.

“It was a tough match for us,” Yoro said after the game. “We should have taken the win, but we’ll look to build on this performance in the second leg.”

Both teams were forced to navigate through challenging moments. Lazio’s defensive errors and missed chances could be costly in the return match. Coach Marco Baroni expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic. “We showed resilience, but we need to be more clinical,” he stated.

Bodø/Glimt’s manager, Kjetil Knutsen, praised his team’s effort. “We came back from behind twice which shows great character,” he said. “We’ll be looking to capitalize on our chances next week.”

The match statistics highlighted the competitiveness of the game, with Lazio holding a slight edge in possession (57%) and shots on target (8) compared to Bodø/Glimt’s 6. Yet, the Norwegian side proved dangerous during set pieces and on the counter-attack.

The second leg is scheduled for April 24 at Old Trafford, where United fans will expect their team to improve upon this draw. Both teams understand the stakes, with a spot in the Europa League semi-finals on the line.

As the clock ran down in Rome, fans were left with the realization that the tie remains wide open, and either side could advance in the Europa League. “It’s all to play for now,” added Lazio midfielder Matías Vecino. “We have the home advantage and we believe in our capabilities.”