Bodo/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen notes Roma have changed since their 6-1 defeat in Norway, but his ‘rapport with Jose Mourinho has deteriorated a little’ ahead of their Conference League reunion.
The first leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-final is on Thursday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
It takes place in their Aspmyra stadium, where the Norwegians beat Roma 6-1 on October 21, a result that still didn’t prevent the Giallorossi topping the group.
They also drew 2-2 at the Stadio Olimpico in the return fixture on November 4, so are a definite bogey team for Mourinho.
“Perhaps my rapport with Mourinho has deteriorated a little since the first match,” confessed Knutsen in his press conference.
“I have incredible respect for him and all he achieved in the world of football, but we’re probably quite different people. We come from different cultures, he is one of the most successful coaches in the world and I can only respect that.
“He was very kind, congratulating us after the first game. He protects his players and it’s fascinating to observe him close up.”
However, the compliments ended there with the Bodo/Glimt tactician’s view of Mourinho and those famous touchline antics.
“It’s funny, at times the fourth official stands there to make sure I never leave my technical area, whereas five or six Roma men leap off the bench and chase after the assistant referee with no consequences.
“In a way, it was amusing to notice how different people are treated in a different way. We always try to be polite, that is an important value to have in life.”
That 6-1 result was a turning point for Roma’s season, as Mourinho effectively cut out half the players who featured that day, many of them sold in January or rarely seen again.
“Roma’s team has changed a bit since then. Their greatest strengths are probably on the counter-attack or from set plays. They are more balanced now with a very different midfield compared to when we last faced them, but are less deadly upfront.”
#BodoGlimt, #Knutsen: “Grande rispetto per Mourinho. Gli arbitri hanno un trattamento diverso per lui” #ASRoma https://t.co/Jem70nmz7h
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