ROME (VG) (Roma – Bodø / Glimt 4-0, 5-2 overall) Some Italian media reported that Nicolò Zaniolo (22) had to come off the bench against Bodø / Glimt, but the Italian had his chances from the start. and replied with a hat trick.

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– He’s in his own class today. There’s an unbelievably high level of players, and he’s given us big problems. There is a difference from the previous game against Roma, Bodø / Glimt captain Ulrik Saltnes told Viaplay.

The injured boy wasn’t on the pitch for more than 60 minutes, but also didn’t need much more to completely shatter Bodø/Glimt’s semi-final dream.

With goals scored in the 23rd, 29th and 49th minutes of the game, he ensures that training is never exciting at the Stadio Olimpico.

graphic: Sofascore.com.

Roma coach José Mourinho has been accused of using the media to his advantage, and it is perhaps no coincidence that the Italian media are focusing on the benched Zaniolo.

However, he didn’t. More defensive midfielder Sergio Oliveira came out, a quick backroom technician came in – and created a big problem for Bodø / Glimt.

José Mourinho was also pleased that they managed to find the press and Bodø/Glimt with a tactical grip.

– Zaniolo sells, so people talk about him when he plays, when he doesn’t play, when he is injured and when he is on the bench. It would be better for him and the whole of Italian Football if they let him. We managed to hide the fact that he will start today (Thursday). People thought he would be on the bench but I know he can attack the room. We are very happy, and he will definitely be on the front page for exclusive positive reasons on Friday, said Mourinho according to Italian Football.

– We are based on the team we met at Aspmyra, but are always prepared that there may be some changes. (…) But when you can barely hear yourself thinking, it becomes difficult to communicate, says Morten Kalvenes of Glimt.

Bodø / Glimt struggled to stem Roma’s direct style of play. Zaniolo repeatedly managed to sneak behind the back four of Glimt’s defence, and after the game, the 22-year-old was in a very good mood.

– We played perfectly tonight, both in defense and attack. We will enjoy tonight, and then focus on the semifinals. I’m very happy to be able to help the team win, especially in front of the fans who have cheered us on so far. But we don’t stop here,” Zaniolo told Sky Sports Italia after the game.

In the semifinals, Roma will face Leicester City. In the second semifinal, Marseille will face Feyenoord. Fredrik Aursnes played all of Thursday’s quarter-finals for Feyenoord against Slavia Prague, while Marcus Holmgren Pedersen came on after 83 minutes for the Dutch side.