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The Champions League continued to deliver dramatic results on Wednesday, with Norway’s Bodo/Glimt pulling off a stunning 3-1 victory over last year’s finalists Inter Milan in the playoff first leg. Elsewhere, Newcastle United delivered a dominant performance, routing Qarabag 6-1, fueled by a remarkable four-goal haul from Anthony Gordon. These results add to a growing narrative of upsets in this season’s competition, while Bayer Leverkusen secured a 2-0 advantage over Olympiacos and Atlético Madrid drew 3-3 with Club Brugge.

The most significant shock of the evening came in Norway, where Bodo/Glimt, having already defeated Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the group stage, added Inter Milan to their list of scalps. Sondre Fet opened the scoring for the Norwegian side in the 20th minute, but Francesco Pio Esposito quickly equalized for Inter. However, Bodo/Glimt regained control in the second half with goals from Jens Petter Hauge and Kasper Hogh, securing a commanding lead heading into the second leg in Milan. This victory further cements Bodo/Glimt’s status as a giant-killer in European football.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United showcased their attacking prowess in Azerbaijan, dismantling Qarabag with a blistering performance. Anthony Gordon was the star of the show, becoming only the second player in Champions League history to score four goals in the first half, a feat previously achieved by Luiz Adriano for Shakhtar Donetsk in 2014 against BATE Borisov. Gordon’s goals came in the 3rd, 32nd (penalty), 34th, and 45+1st minutes, with Thiaw and Murphy adding to the rout in the second half. Newcastle’s 6-1 victory mirrored their earlier 6-0 win against Qarabag in the group stage.

Leverkusen similarly secured a positive result, defeating Olympiacos 2-0 in Greece thanks to a brace from Patrik Schick. Schick found the net in the 60th and 63rd minutes, continuing his impressive recent form, having scored in three of his last four competitive matches. What we have is Schick’s first two-goal game since November, when he scored twice in a league match against Heidenheim. The win puts Leverkusen in a strong position heading into the second leg.

In Belgium, Atlético Madrid were unable to hold onto a two-goal lead against Club Brugge, ultimately settling for a 3-3 draw. Álvarez gave Atlético the lead from the penalty spot in the 8th minute, and Lookman extended their advantage before halftime. However, Brugge fought back with goals from Onyedika, Tresoldi, and a late equalizer from Tzolis, denying Atlético a victory on Belgian soil – a feat they haven’t achieved in seven European attempts.

Bodo/Glimt’s captain, Kasper Högh, has been instrumental in their success, scoring five goals in his last three Champions League appearances. The Norwegian side’s remarkable run began with victories over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid to reach the playoff stage. Their win against Inter Milan was secured after Fet’s opening goal was answered by Esposito, but Hauge and Högh’s second-half strikes sealed the victory.

Newcastle’s dominant performance was highlighted by Gordon’s four goals, bringing his Champions League tally to 10 for the season, second only to Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid, who has 13 goals. Qarabag managed their first shot on target in the 55th minute, with Jaragulijev scoring a consolation goal, but Newcastle quickly responded with a goal from Murphy, completing the 6-1 rout.

The first legs of the Champions League playoff round have set the stage for compelling return fixtures next week. Bodo/Glimt will travel to Milan with a two-goal advantage, while Newcastle will aim to finish the job against Qarabag at home. Leverkusen will look to defend their lead against Olympiacos, and Atlético Madrid will need to regroup ahead of their second leg against Club Brugge.

The second legs promise further drama as these teams battle for a place in the Champions League round of 16. Fans can expect intense competition and potentially more surprising results as the tournament progresses. Stay tuned for updates as these ties are resolved and the field for the knockout stages takes shape.

Jebel Mobrah, UAE – Remco Evenepoel’s ambitions for a strong showing at the Tour de France are already facing scrutiny after a disappointing performance on stage 3 of the UAE Tour. While the Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe rider remains a formidable talent, a significant time loss on the challenging climb underscores the demand for a focused build-up, with the Volta a Catalunya emerging as a crucial proving ground. Evenepoel’s team downplayed the setback, but the two-minute deficit highlights a missed opportunity to establish dominance early in the season.

The Belgian’s campaign began with a flurry of success, notching five wins from eight race days in Spain, as noted by reports following his strong start to the season. Though, the lack of an altitude camp prior to the UAE Tour appeared to be a factor on the demanding Jebel Mobrah climb, a new addition to the race route. This setback casts a spotlight on his preparation as he aims to contend for the yellow jersey in July.

Antonio Tiberi seized the moment on the near-15km ascent, pacing his effort effectively to overcome a late surge from Isaac del Toro. Tiberi’s victory serves as a benchmark for Evenepoel and a clear indication of the level of competition he will face throughout the season. While a recovery on the final stage, Jebel Hafeet, is possible – mirroring his resilience after a tricky day on the Col du Tourmalet at the 2023 Vuelta a España – reclaiming the red jersey now appears unlikely, with a 1:44 deficit to overcome.

(Image credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Catalunya as a Critical Test

Evenepoel’s immediate focus now shifts to a training block at Mount Teide in Tenerife, alongside Tour co-leader Florian Lipowitz, to build crucial altitude adaptation. Upon their return, the Volta a Catalunya looms large, presenting a stacked field of General Classification (GC) contenders. This race will be a vital opportunity for Evenepoel to demonstrate his form and solidify his position as a Tour de France hopeful.

The competition at Catalunya will be fierce, including riders like Jonas Vingegaard, João Almeida, Tom Pidcock, Felix Gall, Egan Bernal, and Derek Gee-West. Notably absent will be Tadej Pogačar, but the remaining field represents a significant challenge. Evenepoel will need to prove he can match the dominance displayed by Pogačar, who has won all four of the WorldTour one-week races he’s entered, according to recent analyses of his performance.

The Pursuit of Consistency

Evenepoel himself acknowledged the importance of consistent success in one-week WorldTour races, stating that winning such events is a key goal for the season. He hasn’t secured a victory in a one-week stage race since the 2023 UAE Tour. Achieving this consistency, while perhaps not guaranteeing Tour de France success, is undeniably a crucial step in his development.

As Klaas Lodewyck, a key member of Evenepoel’s team, pointed out to Cyclingnews, “We’re in February,” leaving ample time to refine his performance. If Evenepoel can reach the levels his team believes he’s capable of, the difficulties encountered on Jebel Mobrah could ultimately prove to be a minor setback.

What’s Next for Evenepoel

The coming weeks will be pivotal for Evenepoel. The Volta a Catalunya will serve as a crucial indicator of his readiness for the challenges of the Tour de France. His performance there will not only define his immediate ambitions but also shape expectations for his overall campaign. The focus remains on building form, refining strategy, and demonstrating the consistency needed to compete with the world’s best.

What are your thoughts on Remco Evenepoel’s chances at the Tour de France? Share your predictions in the comments below!