Roma will face Leicester City in the Europa Conference League semi-finals after finally beating their Bodo/Glimt curse with a dominant 4-0 performance, including Nicolò Zaniolo’s hat-trick.
The first leg saw the Norwegians fight back for a 2-1 victory, but the away goals rule has been abolished in Europe this season. This was the fourth meeting of the campaign, as in the group stage Bodo/Glimt won 6-1 at home and drew 2-2 at the Stadio Olimpico.
There was an ugly altercation after the first leg, resulting in Bodo coach Kjetil Knutsen and Roma goalkeeping trainer Nuno Santos being provisionally suspended awaiting an investigation. Nicolò Zaniolo returned to the starting XI, as did Ola Solbakken after missing the first leg with flu symptoms.
It took five minutes to level the scores on aggregate. A short corner saw Zaniolo’s cross go beyond Bryan Cristante at the near post, the goalkeeper only parried it into the path of Tammy Abraham from five yards.
Both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Abraham skimmed the upright from promising moves before an excellent team goal for 2-0, putting Roma 3-2 up on aggregate.
It was a run of one-touch passes involving Mkhitaryan, Abraham and Lorenzo Pellegrini, sending Zaniolo through to slide it past Nikita Haikin one-on-one.
Hugo Vetlesen’s snapshot was smothered, but Bodo were caught out on a corner by the Nicola Zalewski counter-attack and his inspired through ball that Zaniolo finished with a delightful lob for 3-0.
Abraham could’ve had another when Haikin fumbled a Pellegrini strike, but stumbled as he went for the rebound, then tested the goalkeeper from a tight angle.
Straight after the restart, Zaniolo completed his hat-trick. Cristante floated a ball over the top, the Italian held off Marius Holbraten, bounced it along with his head and then smashed into the far top corner with his left foot from 10 yards.
Zaniolo had another shot saved before going off with cramp to a standing ovation from the Olimpico crowd.
Roma 4-0 Bodo/Glimt (5-2 agg)
Abraham 5 (R), Zaniolo 23, 29, 49 (R)
Roma: Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Cristante, Mkhitaryan (Veretout 85), Pellegrini (Sergio Oliveira 76), Zalewski (Maitland-Niles 85); Zaniolo (Afena-Gyan 60); Abraham (Perez 85)
Bodø/Glimt: Haikin; Sampsted, Moe (Boniface 61), Høibråten, Wembangomo (Kvile 88); Vetlesen, Hagen, Saltnes; Koomson (Mugisha 72), Espejord (Larsen 61), Solbakken (Nordas 88)
Ref: Sanchez (ESP)
Forza roma
Bye bye, Bodo.
Abraham always score easy or lucky goals. Zaniolo should get replaced him for No.9
Where are those Milan fans that wanted to see Roma fails? Shame on you! Instead of supporting an Italian team in Europe, you let your hatred towards Mou blind you.
Who would have thought Roma would be the last team to represent Italy in Europe! Well done!
@villarusso Every Roma fan, this is at the second consecutive year Roma have been last man standing AND in a semi-final! COME GODO contra il Bodo!
I stand corrected! It’s the 3rd time in 4 years now that Roma are last man standing.
Finally some good news! Really hope Roma can restore some pride to Serie A by winning this competition. Beating Leicester would be the icing on the cake.