Jens Petter Hauge has admitted that Bodo/Glimt’s Champions League play-off second leg against Inter will have a bit of extra meaning.
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Hauge’s story is somewhat of a fairytale given that he first played at San Siro for Bodo against Milan in a Europa League play-off, impressing with a wonderful goal and then signing for the Rossoneri less than 48 hours later.
The initial hopes were that he would be a key figure for Milan for years to come, but his 18 appearances in Serie A tell the story. He never really fully earned the trust of Stefano Pioli, heading to Eintracht Frankfurt, then to Gent and back to Bodo/Glimt.
This season, he has scored five goals in nine Champions League appearances, with the latest coming against Inter last week. The Norwegian side landed in Italy on Monday and Hauge was sent up alongside the head coach to do the press conference at San Siro (via MilanNews).
What’s it like to return to San Siro?
“Beautiful, a special stadium and a special city. Milan is special for football fans, we hope to play a historic match.”
What do you need to do to advance?
“We need to play even better than we did in Bodo. We analysed the game to improve.”
Chivu talked about the difficulties of the pitch. What do you think?
“Fortunately, they weren’t used to the synthetic pitch, but injuries happen on every pitch.”
Do you feel like an underdog?
“They’re under pressure, and we’ll try to take advantage, but we’re under pressure, too.”
You were a Milan player, does that affect you?
“There’s an extreme rivalry, it’s true. It will be an interesting match, most fans will be Inter fans. Those who don’t go to the stadium will be cheering for Bodo/Glimt.”
Will the home crowd apply pressure from the start?
“It’ll be a tough match. Inter will do everything they can to win, they’ll apply a lot of pressure right from the start. But we’re experienced. The pressure won’t always be there, though.”
Have any of your former Milan team-mates written to you?
“I’m in touch with many of my old Milan team-mates, they’re good friends and they were happy when I scored against Inter. It means a lot to so many Milan fans.”
Hauge was made to feel at home on the eve of the game too. The Norwegian club posted a video on social media of the winger walking through the San Siro tunnel, which turned from Inter colours to Milan.