European football roundup: Roma humiliated 6-1 by Bodø/Glimt

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.

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.

Elsewhere, Feyenoord cemented their position at the top of Group E with a 3-1 win over Union Berlin, with former Brighton winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh opening the scoring. PAOK leapfrogged Copenhagen at the top of Group F with a 2-1 victory in the Danish capital.

In the Europa League, Real Betis and Bayer Leverkusen drew 1-1 in Seville to both move four points clear of Celtic in Group G. Robert Andrich equalised late on after Borja Iglesias had put the hosts in front from the penalty spot.

In Group D, Enner Valencia scored twice and missed a penalty as Fenerbahce were held to a 2-2 draw by Royal Antwerp. Lazio and Marseille played out a lively goalless draw in Group E, while Braga boosted their qualification hopes with a 1-0 win at Ludogorets.