For the first time in his career, José Mourinho watched one of his sides concede six goals as Roma were embarrassed by Bodø/Glimt, losing 6-1 in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.
Erik Botheim fired the Norwegian champions in front after just eight minutes, and midfielder Patrick Berg quickly made it 2-0 with a fine strike from the edge of the area. Carles Pérez pulled one back before half-time at the Aspmyra Stadium, which lies just inside the Arctic Circle.
Mourinho made three changes at half-time but Botheim struck again to make it 3-1. Worse was to come as Ola Solbakken raced in behind the Roma defence to score the hosts’ fourth in the 71st minute. Nine minutes later Bodø/Glimt were 6-1 up, Amahl Pellegrino slotting home before Solbakken got his second.
“I’m the one who decided to play with the team we use tonight, so it’s my responsibility,” Mourinho told Sky Italia. “Tonight we lost against a team with more quality, it’s as simple as that.”
The Roma manager could not resist deflecting some blame on to his second-string team, however. “If I could use the same players every match I would,” he added. “I expected better, but it’s my responsibility. The good thing is that no one will keep asking me why the same players keep playing.
“Every defeat leaves scars. I already spoke frankly and honestly to the players,” Mourinho continued. At the final whistle, Roma’s players went over to apologise to the 400 away fans who had travelled to northern Norway, and were greeted with jeers and whistles.
Source : theguardian.com
