Roma need two points from their remaining two games to get through the Europa League group, but they are now very likely to be heading for the play-offs.
The Giallorossi were sitting pretty three points clear at the top of Group G going into this evening’s matches thanks to a 100 per cent record.
However, their 2-0 defeat to Slavia Prague has seen them caught at the top, now only five points clear of third-placed Servette.
First place is absolutely crucial in the Europa League, as it means direct access to the Round of 16, without going through the play-off in February against one of the teams that drops down from the Champions League.
Because Roma beat Slavia Prague 2-0 at the Olimpico and lost by the same result in the Czech Republic, that means their head-to-head record is absolutely identical.
The next tie-breaker is overall goal difference and Slavia Prague have a big advantage there with +8 compared to Roma’s +5.
In order to secure first place, Roma would have to either get more points than Slavia Prague in the final two games, or the same number of points while scoring enough to give them a better overall goal difference.
As for second place, just two points from the remaining two games will be sufficient.
This makes the head-to-head away to Servette decisive on November 30, while they host rock bottom Sheriff at the Olimpico on December 14.
Group G
| Rank | Teams | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slavia Praha | 5 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 15 |
| 2 | Roma | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 13 |
| 3 | Servette | 1 | 2 | 3 | -9 | 5 |
| 4 | Sheriff Tiraspol | 0 | 1 | 5 | -12 | 1 |