NEC director Wilco van Schaik's hard-hitting remarks about conditions at Bodø/Glimt have also made waves in Norway. A spokesperson for the Norwegian club has hit back at the criticism and says NEC made no complaints beforehand.
Van Schaik was sharply critical of the facilities in Bodø. NEC's managing director took particular issue with the ice bath provided, saying it was nowhere near what he would expect in a Champions League setting.
"I've just been in the dressing room, it's bric-a-brac here," Van Schaik said. "We asked for a bath and ice. I think they've simply got a bath from some DIY store with ice in it. That really is unheard of."
His remarks were widely picked up and also reached Bodø/Glimt. Speaking to Norwegian Nettavisen, a spokesperson for the club said he did not recognise the picture Van Schaik had painted.
"We have had a lot of consultation with NEC in recent weeks and we have received no feedback that things were not in order," the spokesperson said. According to the Norwegian, there is also nothing unusual about the bath prepared for NEC.
"The same bath was there when Manchester City and Inter played here, and nobody said anything about it," he continued. "This is the first time we have heard that there is something wrong with it. We believe we delivered what was asked for."
He then sought to put Van Schaik's criticism into further perspective. "There are teams who offer bins filled with ice, so there are much worse alternatives," the Bodø/Glimt press officer concluded.
Monday brought plenty of criticism for Van Schaik too, from Dutch and Norwegian football fans on X. "How unbelievably disrespectful," one person wrote, while another user said: "And then still get comprehensively beaten. This talk after last week... He's the ultimate Dutchman, so much chat. Come on Bodø!"
Norwegian journalist Sigve Kvamme sneered on X: "Only when the gigantic club NEC Nijmegen - a club whose name you had to look up - come to Aspmyra do they strongly criticise the lack of facilities."
Tuesday night now brings a simple task for NEC: find an answer on the pitch. The Nijmegen side must overturn an earlier 1-3 defeat to keep their hopes of reaching the Champions League league phase alive. If they go out, the Europa League league phase remains a safety net.
Kick-off is at 9pm on Tuesday night at the already much-discussed Aspmyra Stadion.