Tottenham Hotspur were on the receiving end of a classic football tactic, as opposition fans drew inspiration from Liverpool’s legendary 2019 Champions League comeback against Barcelona.
That memorable night saw Trent Alexander-Arnold take a quick corner to set up Divock Origi’s goal, completing Liverpool’s astonishing 4-0 turnaround at Anfield after a 3-0 first-leg defeat.
But Liverpool’s off-field tactics also played a role—supporters famously launched a pre-match fireworks display outside Barcelona’s hotel, disrupting their rest with late-night noise that added to the pressure.
Now, Bodo/Glimt supporters have followed that lead. With their team trailing 3-1 from the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Spurs, they’ve taken inspiration from Anfield’s playbook.
Already facing challenges like a synthetic pitch, freezing conditions, and nearly constant daylight, Tottenham’s squad got an early-morning wake-up call when fireworks lit up the sky outside their waterside hotel at 2:37 a.m.
Though one social media user called the act “disgraceful,” it’s a well-established part of European football lore. Liverpool fans reprised the act against Real Madrid two years ago, while Everton, Arsenal, and Leeds fans have all used the same tactic to rattle visiting teams.
Even Tottenham have been targeted in the past—Leeds and Marseille fans attempted similar disruptions before key matches. Notably, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg scored deep into extra time against Marseille in 2022 after a sleepless night, helping Spurs top their group.
Tottenham will hope for a smoother night this time. Their current lead comes from goals by Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, and the now-sidelined James Maddison, though Ulrik Saltnes’ late strike for Glimt has left the tie still hanging in the balance.