In one of the biggest upsets in the history of modern European competitions, the unfancied Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt not only secured a victory against an Italian giant, but also inflicted a humiliating and historic 6-1 defeat on AS Roma, then managed by the renowned José Mourinho. This shocking match took place on October 21, 2021, as part of the group stage of the UEFA Europa League, and became the talk of the global sports world for weeks.
Roma entered the match as overwhelming favorites for an easy victory, relying on their illustrious history, star-studded squad, and the reputation of their manager, Mourinho, as one of the world's best tacticians. However, on the artificial turf of the Asprimaria Stadium, located within the Arctic Circle, all expectations were turned on their head. Bodo Glimt's side delivered a stunning attacking performance, exploiting the speed of his players and the superior tactical organization of coach Keitel Knutsen.
Historical background and match context
Before this night, Bodø/Glimt was a name unknown to most football fans outside Norway. Founded in 1916, the club has experienced a remarkable rise in recent years under coach Knutsen, winning its first-ever league title in 2020. Their rapid ascent made them a force to be reckoned with domestically, but few expected them to translate that success onto the European stage with such force. The match against Roma was the true test of their abilities against a top-tier team.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
This was no ordinary defeat; it was the heaviest loss suffered by a team managed by José Mourinho in his more than 1,000-match coaching career, giving the result a significant historical and media dimension. Internationally, this victory brought Norwegian football into the spotlight, proving that smaller clubs with limited resources can compete with the big clubs thanks to sound planning and innovative tactics. As for Roma, the defeat served as a harsh wake-up call, exposing significant weaknesses in the team and forcing Mourinho to completely reassess his players.
Erik Putheim opened the scoring for the home side in the 8th minute, and Patrick Berg added a second in the 20th. Although Carles Pérez pulled one back for Roma, the second half saw a complete collapse from the Italian team. Putheim scored his second, Ola Solbakken added two more, and Pellegrino completed his historic sextuple. This result was more than just a victory; it was a powerful statement from a courageous team that announced itself on the European stage, leaving an indelible mark on the competition's history.
