ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 23: Valentin Castellanos of Lazio after scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD 7 match between SS Lazio and Real Sociedad de Futbol at the Stadio Olimpico on January 23 in Rome. Celebrated with teammates, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Lazio are already guaranteed their place in the Europa League round of 16 with a top eight finish, but Roma risk is completely eliminated.
Just one matchday remains to be played in the league phase of the tournament, which debuted its new format this season.
The top eight go directly to the round of 16Teams 9-24 in the table will enter the playoffs.
Those sides in the final 12 positions are eliminated from Europe pending another tournament.
Lazio have been top of the table from start to finish this season and have locked up their place in the next stages thanks to 3-1 win over 10-man Real Sociedad this evening.
In fact, they extended their advantage at the top to three points, as Athletic Club lost to Besiktas and Eintracht Frankfurt dropped the Spaniards to second place by 1 point.
This means Lazio need just one point from their last fixture to be assured of top spot, but even then with such a strong goal difference it will be very difficult to lose first place.
As for the Roma, their situation suffered significantly 1-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar.
This left them floundering at 21ST Put on 9 points, just one clear of the elimination zone.
Their final Europa League match will be against Eintracht Frankfurt at the Stadio Olimpico and anything less than a win will see them spill out of Europe at their first hurdle.
