Finishing Rank Two, AS Roma Qualify For The Last 16 Of The Europa League

AS Roma young player Niccoli Pisilli celebrated the goal he scored in the match against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League. (X/@OficialASRoma)

JAKARTA - Liverpoo ended the Europa League Group G preliminary round by finishing second after winning 3-0 over Sheriff Tiraspol at the Stadio Olimpico, Friday, December 15 in the morning WIB. Roma also qualified for the last 16, but they had to play play-offs.

Roma are competing closely with Slavia Prague for the last 16 automatic tickets by winning the group. When Roma struggled against the Sheriff, they hoped Slavia Prague would lose to Servette.

Only hope that this Italian Serie A club will not be achieved. Roma did meet the target of winning over their rivals. But Slavia Prague also managed to get three points after beating Servette 4-0.

The victory led Slavia Prague to become the winner of Group G. Club from Rep. This Czech who made sure to qualify by pocketing an automatic ticket to the knockout stages of the Europa League after getting points 15.

They are two points ahead of Roma who have to settle for second place. Roma also played play-offs against a team that was ranked third in the Champions League.

Then who has the potential to become Roma's opponent? A number of teams predicted to be Roma's opponents include Galatasaray, Lens, SC Braga, Benfica, Feyenoord, Young Boys and Shakhtar Donetsk. On the other hand, Roma will not meet AC Milan who is a fellow Italian Serie A team.

In the home game against the Sheriff, Roma fully controlled the game. Striker Romelu Lukaku became the team's attacking motor that indeed hunted for the final victory.

The game has only been running for 11 minutes, Lukaku has successfully broken into the visitors' gaawang. The former Manchester United striker was in the right position and time when he met Nicola Zalewski's cross.

Winning 1-0, Roma are increasingly aggressive in suppressing the opponent's defense. Their efforts were not in vain. Because in the 32nd minute, Roma managed to add goals through Andrea Belotti.

The goal started with Zalewski's shot which was blocked by goalkeeper Maxym Koval so that the ball went wild. Belloti immediately greeted the rebound ball with a header that Koval failed to save. A 2-0 score for Roma lasted until the first half was over.

Entering the second half, Roma still controlled the game. Only their attacks failed many times in the defense of this Moldovan club.

Coach Jose Mourinho also gave young players like Mattia Mannini the opportunity to get game flying hours.

Mannini, who was only 17 born the day before Italy won the 2006 World Cup. He entered to replace Zalewski in the 86th minute.

Previously, another young player Niccolo Pisilli appeared to replace Belotti. Mourinho's decision to play him was not in vain.

Pisilli answered the Portuguese coach's trust by scoring a goal that solidified Roma's victory.

The 19-year-old broke into the Sheriff's goal after welcoming Lukaku's assist in injury time. The score changed to 3-0 for Roma and lasted until the end of the match.