Chris Smalling admitted AS Roma "ruined" their hard work after a second-half collapse against Manchester United.
The Italian club led 2-1 at Old Trafford before the break but five goals after the interval gave United full control heading into the second leg of their Europa League semi-final.
For Smalling, it was a particularly difficult night. He played Edinson Cavani onside allowing the 34-year-old to make it 3-2 before fouling the Uruguayan for a penalty which Bruno Fernandes converted.
After 10 years with United, it was a first return to Old Trafford for the Englishman, who was visibly emotional as he gave his post-match thoughts.
“Massively (tough to take)," Smalling told BT Sport.
"We couldn’t capitalise on our first-half, I thought we created a few chances and going into the break with a lead.
"It’s just pure disappointment in the second half, the goals we conceded were sloppy and it’s just really ruined the hard work we did in the first half.
“This season, we’ve had a lot of injuries and it’s not an excuse for conceding so many goals, but it’s not ideal preparation. We did still go in (leading) at the break despite those early changes.”
Paul Scholes was delighted with his former club's comeback: “They were brilliant.
"We said before, whatever team he picked, you’d expect them to win the game and at half-time, they were in a little bit of trouble you thought. But that second-half performance was sensational, some of the passing, the moving, it was so crisp and the finishing to go with it.
“Yeah, it is (over), 6-2 up at home, they’re probably a better team away from home. Can they go there and relax a bit? I think they probably can, give a couple of players a rest which will be nice as well. They’re in a great position.”
