Roma director Tiago Pinto admits he’s never known fans like these, while he comments on the fact Nicolò Zaniolo is starting against Bodo/Glimt tonight. ‘This is an odd season for him.’
The first leg ended 2-1 for the Norwegians, so the Giallorossi need to win by two clear goals to reach the Conference League semi-final.
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT), you can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
“The atmosphere is so much better than I can describe with my Italian,” the Portuguese director told Sky Sport Italia in a totally sold-out Stadio Olimpico.
“I thought that I knew passionate fans, but these guys are incredible. The fans have been incredible all the way through the season and we felt it today from the moment we left the training ground to reach the stadium.
“We all want to reach the semi-final together.”
Jose Mourinho has benched Zaniolo in several big games recently, but instead decided to start him this evening against Bodo/Glimt, dropping Sergio Oliveira.
“You already asked me about Zaniolo before the Salernitana game and I said he was important for us. This is an odd season for him, after two years of injuries, so we’re happy he is back in the starting XI and we’ll see if he can help us reach the semi-final.”
Ola Solbakken missed the first leg due to flu symptoms, but starts for Bodo/Glimt this evening, amid reports he is a transfer target for Roma this summer.
“If we reach the semi-final, do you promise not to ask me about the transfer market during the Conference League?” laughed Tiago Pinto.
#Pinto: “#Zaniolo? Questa è una stagione particolare per lui, dopo due anni di infortuni, oggi siamo contenti che sia tornato nell’11 iniziale e vediamo se può aiutarci a raggiungere la semifinale”#ASRoma #RomaBodo #UECL https://t.co/TVy7WTLlX8
— pagineromaniste.com (@PagineRomaniste) April 14, 2022