Lazio’s Europa League group really will go down to the wire, as they face a showdown with Feyenoord in Rotterdam.
It was perfectly balanced going into this evening, as all four teams had five points in the table.
Lazio beat Midtjylland 2-1, while Feyenoord suffered a last-gasp 1-0 defeat away to Sturm Graz in Austria.
That means the Biancocelesti and Sturm Graz are level leaders on eight points each, followed by Feyenoord and Midtjylland on five.
Lazio are technically top now, because they have an identical head-to-head record with Sturm Graz (drawing 0-0 and 2-2), but a superior overall goal difference (-1 to -4).
They will go head-to-head with Feyenoord in the final match in Rotterdam on November 3, having won 4-2 at the Stadio Olimpico last month.
It is still possible that all four teams could finish level on eight points, creating a mathematical nightmare to figure out the head-to-head records and then goal difference.
First place is important, as that means going directly through to the Round of 16.
Second place means a play-off against a team dropping down from the Champions League, while those in third go into a Conference League play-off.
“It is still possible that all four teams could finish level on eight points, creating a mathematical nightmare to figure out the head-to-head records ”
Well, OBVIOUSLY the head-to-head records will match if all four teams finish level on eight points, in which case only the goal difference from all games would matter.