With Mats Hummels in the starting line-up, the struggling AS Roma celebrated their second victory in the Europa League on Thursday (December 12, 2024). Manchester United were behind for a long time, then Rasmus Höjlund scored twice.
Rome beat Sporting Braga 3-0 (1-0) on matchday six of the league phase. Lorenzo Pellegrini (11th), Saud Abdulhamid (47th) on an assist from ex-Gladbacher Manu Kone and Mario Hermoso (90th + 1) scored for Roma, where Mats Hummels was in the starting line-up and defended solidly. Shortly before his substitution, however, he saw a yellow card (73′).
AS Roma is in 14th place in the Europa League table with nine points. The teams in places nine to 24 play in knockout duels for a place in the round of 16, the best eight teams reach the round of the last 16 directly.
Höjlund saves Manchester United
Manchester United avoided a setback in the fight for the direct round of 16 ticket, winning late 2-1 (0-0) at Viktoria Pilsen. Star striker Rasmus Höjlund (62nd/88th) scored twice after falling behind.
Leaders Lazio win in Amsterdam
Lazio Rome remains at the top of the table (16 points), followed in second place by Athletic Bilbao (16). Both won their games on this sixth matchday: Bilbao won 2-0 at Fenerbahce (2-0), both goals for the Spaniards were scored by Inaki Williams (5th, 45th). Lazio won 3-1 (1-0) at Ajax in Amsterdam. Loum Tchaouna (12th) gave the Italians the lead before Bertrand Traoré equalized (47th).
But then Lazio turned the game around in the style of a top team: first Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored (52′), then Pedro made the decision with a fine shot (77′).
Moukoku cannot prevent Nice’s defeat
However, things are looking bad for Youssoufa Moukoko and OGC Nice. With the Dortmund loanee in the starting line-up, Nice lost 1:2 (1:1) at Union Saint-Gilloise and is still winless (two draws, four defeats), making it 35th out of 36 teams.