Original title: Europa League qualification situation: 3 teams ensure promotion, Manchester United Arsenal face the decisive match, Mourinho's life hangs in the balance
Unlike the Champions League, only three teams have secured qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League after five rounds of the group stage, with Arsenal and Manchester United all facing for the top spot in the final round, and Jose Mourinho's Roma may even be eliminated from the Europa League.
After five rounds of the group stage, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Fenerbach, Rennes, Betis, St Giros, Real Sociedad, Manchester United, Freiburg and Ferensvaroz 10 teams ensured the top two places in the group, but only Betis in Group C, St. Giros in Group D and Freiburg in Group G ensured that they advanced to the round of 16.
According to Europa League rules, the first-placed team in the group advances directly to the round of 16, while the second-placed team plays a play-off with the third team in the Champions League group. With Ajax, Atletico Madrid, Barca, Tottenham, Milan, Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, Sevilla and Juve all playing in the Europa League, the play-offs have become very intense.
To avoid strong opponents in the play-offs, strong teams such as Arsenal, Manchester United and Lazio all have to secure a direct top-finish finish in the final round. After losing 2-0 to PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal secured a top-two finish in the group, but also missed the chance to seal the top spot in the early round. In the final round, Arsenal must beat Zurich to secure advance to the round of 16.
Expand full article
After the victory over Sharif, United will face Real Sociedad in the final round. Real Sociedad are currently three points ahead of Manchester United and have three goals more on goal difference. This means that in the final round away to Real Sociedad, United must win by two goals to qualify in top place.
Among the big teams, Jose Mourinho's Roma are in the most dangerous situation, and after the victory over Helsinki, Roma are currently second in the group with seven points, but tied to third-placed Ludogretz.
In the final round, Roma will play at home to Ludogretz, with the two teams competing for a qualifying spot, and if they lose at home, Roma will move to the Europa League and will play in the play-offs as second in the group if they win. Jose Mourinho has already said: "We don't want to defend the UEFA Europa League title. ”
Regardless of the outcome of the final round of the Champions League and Europa League, the Europa League play-offs will be full and intense.