EUROPA LEAGUE: ROMA IN FANTASTIC POSITION

Italian football giants AS Roma are in a fantastic position to qualify for the round of 16 in the Europa League this season after a good result in their last 32 first leg clash with Sporting Braga. The Italian football giants were able to secure a 2-0 away win over Sporting Braga of Portugal last week Thursday to take a big step towards the last 16 of the competition. AS Roma players know that the job is far from over and that they need to keep Sporting Braga at bay in the second leg scheduled for the StadioOlimpico on Thursday night. Edin Dzeko and Borja Mayoral were the goalscorers for Italian football giants AS Roma in the first leg. AS Roma had several injury problems but they were able to overcome them to secure a big result over Braga.

The race to qualify for Champions League football is very tight in the Italian football top flight this season and capital club AS Roma need to keep the option of winning the Europa League open. The Europa League winners will automatically qualify for the Champions League next season. AS Roma were disappointing in the league at the weekend as they failed to beat hosts Benevento, who ended the game with ten men. AS Roma and Benevento played out a goalless draw. AS Roma have dropped to fourth position as a result with title holders leapfrogging the capital club into third place following the 3-0 win over lowly Crotone on Monday night.

Ahead of the visit of Sporting Braga on Thursday night, AS Roma players would have to be careful with Ricardo Horta, who would be the danger man for the visitors. The Portuguese international has 12 goals in Sporting Braga colours this season and AS Roma defenders have to pay close attention to him when their second leg meeting starts tomorrow.