Pellegrini claims Bodo/Glimt's manager 'ATTACKED Roma goalkeeping coach'

Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini has sensationally accused Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen of attacking a member of their staff following their Europa Conference League clash on Thursday night.

Jose Mourinho's side took the lead in the quarter-final first leg through Pellegrini's thumping strike just before the break, but the Norwegian side mounted a comeback and sealed the win with Hugo Vetlesen's header a minute from time.

The victory sparked wild celebrations from the home side, but Pellegrini has since claimed that Knutsen assaulted Roma's goalkeeping coach Nuno Gomes after the match.

He told Sky Sport Italia: 'Something truly unpleasant just happened.

'The changing rooms are opposite and Knutsen began to say something to our coach and then attacked. It is an unpleasant act for competition and fair play.

'Sorry because we came here with respect, but such acts are an insult to Rome and to the competition. It is a shame.'

Sky Sport Italia have claimed that Norwegian police got involved following the alleged incident, with Knutsen, Gomes and witnesses all interviewed.

Thursday's game was the third time Roma have played Bodo/Glimt this season and they're yet to win against the Norwegian side, having been thrashed 6-1 away in the group stage before a draw at home.

Mourinho was left angry following Thursday night's defeat, slamming the Norwegian outfit's use of artificial grass having lost Gianluca Mancini to a knee injury.

The Roma boss said: 'The two goals were from a set play and a deflection. We score a lot of goals from set plays too, but it's a good one to score, a bad one to concede. The first goal was ridiculous.

'To be honest, the thing that worries me the most is the injury for Mancini. It's a concern, it's something caused by playing on a plastic turf.'

Mourinho also criticised the level of officiating but said he is confident his team will advance to the semi-finals when Bodo/Glimt visit the Stadio Olimpico for the return leg next week.

He added: 'We lost 2-1, we have the second leg to play at the Olimpico in front of our fans and I have no problem saying right now that I feel we are the favourites to reach the semi-final.

'I have total faith in my players, in the stadium, the support from our people. Obviously, Bodo/Glimt are a difficult team, but I also have faith we will have a good referee and assistant in the second leg.

'When we played in Rome against them, there were two very clear penalties for us that the referee did not see, while today there were two moves that were flagged offside and the first half ended with a ridiculous situation as the offside flag was up on a throw-in, which shows you the level.'