Yahoo Sports Europa League Table: Lazio qualify for last 16, Roma in real trouble
Lazio are already guaranteed their place in the Europa League Round of 16 with a top eight finish, but Roma risk elimination entirely.
There is just one match day left to be played in the league phase of the tournament, which started its new format this season.
The top eight go directly into the Round of 16, while the teams from 9-24 in the table will enter play-offs.
Those sides in the final 12 positions are eliminated from Europe with no recourse to another tournament.
Lazio have been top of the table from start to finish this season and locked down their place in the next phase thanks to this evening’s comfortable 3-1 victory over 10-man Real Sociedad.
In fact, they extended their advantage at the top to three points, because Athletic Club lost to Besiktas and Eintracht Frankfurt caught the Spaniards in second on 16 points.
It means Lazio need just one point from their last fixture to be sure of top spot, but even then have such a strong goal difference it will be very difficult to lose first place.
As for Roma, their situation was damaged significantly by the 1-0 defeat away to AZ Alkmaar.
It left them floundering in 21st place on 9 points, just one clear of the elimination zone.
Their final Europa League match will be at the Stadio Olimpico against Eintracht Frankfurt and anything less than a victory could see them crash out of Europe at the first hurdle.
