Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League campaign suffered a shocking blow on Tuesday night as Pep Guardiola’s side were humbled by Norwegian underdogs Bodø/Glimt, a defeat that sent shockwaves across European football and ignited a furious backlash from City supporters.
What was expected to be a routine away fixture against one of the competition’s perceived minnows instead turned into one of the most embarrassing results of City’s recent European history. Reduced to ten men and outplayed in intensity, belief, and execution, the reigning English champions fell short in conditions that demanded resilience—qualities many fans felt were sorely lacking from City’s biggest stars.
In the aftermath, anger among supporters was swift and unforgiving. Two names, in particular, bore the brunt of the criticism: Phil Foden and Erling Haaland.
A Night to Forget in Norway
From the opening whistle, it was clear that this would not be a comfortable evening for Manchester City. Bodø/Glimt, backed by a raucous home crowd and harsh Arctic conditions, played with fearlessness and energy that unsettled Guardiola’s side.
City dominated possession but lacked urgency, penetration, and sharpness in the final third. When the hosts took their chances and City were reduced to ten men, the balance of the game tilted decisively.
By the final whistle, the scoreboard told a story few could have predicted: Manchester City beaten by Bodø/Glimt.
For a club built on dominance and European ambition, the result was humiliating.
Fan Fury Erupts Online
Almost immediately after the match ended, Manchester City supporters took to social media to vent their frustration. While criticism was directed at the team as a whole, the harshest words were reserved for Foden and Haaland—players expected to lead when circumstances turn difficult.
One fan wrote bluntly on X (formerly Twitter):
“Leave Foden and Haaland in Norway please.”
Another supporter questioned Guardiola’s selection decisions but ultimately placed responsibility on the players themselves:
“Foden and Haaland need to hold the bench. No one is bigger than the club.”
As the posts continued to pour in, a clear theme emerged: supporters felt City’s star attackers were anonymous when the team needed them most.
“Practically Ghosts” on the Biggest Stage
Perhaps the most damaging accusation from fans was not missed chances—but absence.
A widely shared post summed up the sentiment:
“How is it Pep’s fault Phil Foden and Erling Haaland are practically ghosts in this game?”
For long stretches of the match, Haaland struggled to impose himself against Bodø/Glimt’s disciplined defensive setup, while Foden failed to influence the game creatively or carry the team forward.
Another supporter added:
“Foden and Haaland have been very disappointing for City in the past month.”
The criticism reflects a growing concern among sections of the fanbase that City’s attacking stars have dipped in form at a crucial stage of the season.
Standards at Manchester City
Manchester City are not judged like ordinary clubs. Success has elevated expectations to unforgiving levels. When results go against them—especially in Europe—scrutiny becomes ruthless.
One particularly angry fan wrote:
“No one is bigger than the club. If you can’t be arsed, fight and battle is a given regardless of how the game is going.”
The message was clear: talent alone is not enough. Effort, leadership, and responsibility matter just as much—especially in hostile away environments.
A Bigger Problem Than One Match?
While emotions ran high after the defeat, some supporters attempted a more measured view, pointing out that City’s struggles were collective rather than individual.
The red card, the difficult conditions, and Bodø/Glimt’s fearless approach all played a role. Yet, for many fans, elite players are judged by how they respond to adversity—not excuses.
The performance raised uncomfortable questions:
Are City mentally fatigued?
Have opponents learned how to neutralize Haaland?
Is Foden struggling with consistency at the highest level?
These questions are now being debated across fan forums and football media.
Pressure Mounts on Guardiola’s Squad
Although Guardiola himself avoided singling out individuals post-match, the noise around the club is growing louder. Supporters expect a reaction—not just in words, but in performances.
City’s players later reportedly refunded fans’ match tickets, a gesture that acknowledged the disappointment felt by traveling supporters and underscored how unacceptable the result was by the club’s own standards.
What This Means for City’s Champions League Campaign
The defeat does not mathematically end City’s Champions League hopes, but it complicates their path significantly. Dropping points against lower-ranked opposition leaves little margin for error in the remaining fixtures.
More importantly, it damages City’s aura—the sense of inevitability that has surrounded them in recent European campaigns.
Teams watching across Europe will take note.
Reaction or Regression?
Manchester City now face a defining moment in their season. The coming weeks will reveal whether this defeat becomes a turning point or the start of a deeper problem.
For Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, the message from supporters is unmistakable: deliver—or be questioned.
At a club where excellence is the minimum requirement, reputations offer no protection.
Final Thoughts
Football fans are emotional, reactionary, and often unforgiving—but they also reflect the standards set by success. Manchester City have raised those standards sky-high under Pep Guardiola.
On a freezing night in Norway, those standards were not met.
And until City’s stars respond on the pitch, the noise from the stands—and from social media—will only grow louder.
