Hauge sends warning to Juventus while ‘Haaland leads’ Norway

Former Milan player Jens Petter Hauge warns Juventus that playing away at Bodo/Glimt is ‘tough’ and is now aware Norway can compete with the very best: ‘Erling Haaland is proof.’

Hauge’s Bodo/Glimt host Juventus at the Aspmyra Stadion this evening in the Champions League Round 5.

The Bianconeri are still winless in Europe this season, so they’ll be looking for a win in Norway despite the difficult conditions.

“Playing at our home is tough; 8,000 incredibly passionate fans, sub-zero temperatures, wind cutting across the pitch and an artificial turf. And snow, too,” Hauge told Gazzetta.

“Anyone coming from outside can be caught off guard. Roma and Lazio know something about that, and they’re not the only ones.”

A former Milan player, Hauge, scored five goals in 24 appearances with the Rossoneri in the 2020-21 season.

Milan decided to sign the Norwegian midfielder after scouting him in an Europa League play-off game in 2020.

“First, I provided an assist, then a goal to make it 2-3. We lost, but we had fun,” he recalled.

“I remember the chaos after the match, the sporting director told me: ‘Jens, they want you.’ My phone was filling up with messages, and a few hours later, I was a Milan player. This time, Paolo Maldini called me on video. Those were unique emotions and sensations; I could barely understand what was happening to me.”

Hauge has one goal in 13 games with the Norway national team, who beat Italy twice in the World Cup qualifiers, winning Group I and forcing the Azzurri to go through the play-off.

“Haaland leads us. Coming from a small country and becoming one of the best players in the world,” said Hauge.

“As I kid, I thought it would have been better for me to be born in Brazil, Spain or Portugal, where there’s a strong football culture. But now we know that even from Norway, you can compete with the very best; Erling is the proof.”

Bodo/Glimt have earned two points in four Champions League games, just one more than Juventus.