Europa League: Roma in R16, but could face Bologna after play-offs | OneFootball

Roma secured a place in the Europa League Round of 16, but could potentially end up playing against Bologna, who enter the play-offs.

The draw for the Europa League play-offs is on Friday at 12.00 GMT (13.00 CET).

The league phase was completed this evening with all the matches played simultaneously, meaning the table was constantly changing as results changed around the continent.

Roma and Bologna continue in Europa League

ATHENS, GREECE – JANUARY 29: Jan Ziolkowski of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Panathinaikos FC and AS Roma at Spyros Louis on January 29, 2026 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)

At one stage, Bologna were in eighth place and therefore ahead of Roma on goal difference, but the Giallorossi equalised when down to 10 men for a 1-1 draw away to Panathinaikos.

It means Gian Piero Gasperini’s side now go straight into the Round of 16 and by-pass the play-offs.

Bologna finished 10th after their 3-0 victory over Maccabi Tel-Aviv and will face either SK Brann (who they already played in the league phase) or Dinamo Zagreb in the play-offs.

However, if Vincenzo Italiano’s men make it through, then they will be up against either Freiburg or the Giallorossi, so it could be an Italian derby on the horizon.