Europa League: Roma through, Genoa have to wait, Lazio out

Roma 2-1 Basle
It was a decisive week in the Europa League, and Roma last night pushed through their superiority in a group containing Basle, Fulham and CSKA Sofia by qualifying a round early. Indeed, a win in Sofia in two weeks time will wrap up the top spot in the group and perhaps give them an easier draw in the first knockout round. A penalty from Francesco Totti and a beautifully worked goal from Vucinic allowed Roma to come from behind to grab the win.

Group E
1. Roma 10pts
2. Basle 9pts
3. Fulham 8pts
4. CSKA 1pt

Slavia Prague 0-0 Genoa
Genoa however will have to beat Valencia at home in order to assure themselves of qualification to the next round. It sounds a tough ask, and it is, but Genoa have beaten Milan and Juve in the Luigi Ferraras Stadium last season, so they can pull big wins out the bag when it matters. Anyhow, Genoa came away from Prague on Wednesday night with a point thanks to a 0-0 encouter. Both sides had chances, Crespo namely for Genoa. Slavia did have the ball in the back of the net twice, but both goals were disallowed for offside and infringements on the keeper. In the groups other match Valencia beat Lille 3-1, to leave the group tight and full of possibility. Genoa could go through with just a draw, but that would require Lille to loose to Slavia. As their first meeting went 5-1 in favour of Lille, that outcome seems thin so Genoa will have to win this epic clash with Valencia to ensure passage to the next phases.

Group B
1. Valencia 9pts
2. Lille 7pts
3. Genoa 7pts
4. Slavia Prague 3pts

Salzberg 2-1 Lazio
Lazio's problems went from bad to worse as they crashed out of Europe, the only Italian side to have done so this season. They went behind early in the second half but responded 5 minutes later through a Pasquale Foggia goal. But, despite claims for a penalty that was not given Lazio could not take the lead, and it was Salzberg on the counter attack who managed to do so late on. Lazio crash out as their abysmal form continues. They face Levski Sofia in a meaningless clash in the last round.

Group G
1. Salzberg 15pts
2. Villareal 9pts
3. Lazio 6pts
4. Levski Sofia 0pts