Bodo 2-1 Roma: Defeat leaves tie finely poised

Roma will have to win at the Stadio Olimpico next week if they are to reach the Europa Conference League semi-finals, after they lost 2-1 against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night.

Lorenzo Pellegrini's early goal for the Giallorossi was cancelled out by two second half strikes for the hosts at the Aspmyra Stadion - as the Norwegian champions ensured they will take a narrow advantage with them to the Stadio Olimpico in seven days' time.

However, with away goals no longer a factor in UEFA competitions, Roma know that a one-goal win will be enough for them to force at least extra-time in the contest.

A win by two goals or more will send them through, while a draw or defeat will send them out at the last-eight stage.

After a slow start to the game for the visitors, it was Pellegrini who ultimately broke the deadlock - firing into the roof of the net from an acute angle after being played in smartly by Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Roma had other chances to get on the scoresheet - Tammy Abraham being denied even before Pellegrini's opener, while the goalscorer himself had another shot well-saved by Bodo goalkeeper Nikita Haikin - but slowly found themselves pegged back in the second half, as the hosts gradually grew in confidence.

It was Ulrik Saltnes who got his side back on level terms, although he did not know much about it: the midfielder's back getting a decisive touch on Brice Wembangano's speculative long-range effort to turn it home.

Then, with just two minutes remaining in the game, Hugo Veltesen arrived late into the box to head home an inviting free-kick and send the crowd in Bodo wild.

Defeat for the Giallorossi, then, who now know the task that awaits them if they want to overturn the result in the second leg.

BODO/GLIMT 2-1 ROMA

GOALSCORERS: Saltnes (56'), Veltesen (89'); Pellegrini (43')

BODO/GLIMT (4-3-3): Haikin; Sampsted, Moe (Kvlie), Hoibraten, Wembangomo; Hagen, Vetlesen, Saltnes; Koomson (Mugisha), Espejord (Boniface), Pellegrino

ROMA (3-5-1-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini (Smalling), Kumbulla, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Mkhitaryan (Shomurodov), Cristante, Sergio Oliveira, Zalewski (Vina); Pellegrini; Abraham