Despite settling for a draw against Ludogorets, Lazio have already booked their place in the Europa League knockout stages.
Ending the Perfect Run
The Biancocelesti enjoyed a resounding start to their European campaign this season, winning their first four fixtures at the expense of Dynamo Kyiv, OGC Nice, FC Twente and Porto. Therefore, Marco Baroni’s men were widely expected to shrug aside the Bulgarian champions who arrived in Rome with a single point in the bag, but they were unable to break the visitors’ resistance in a match marred by a controversial penalty incident.
Lazio Seal Europa League Knockout Stage Place
Nevertheless, the Serie A side remains on top of the Europa League charts with 13 points. They are ahead of Athletic Club and Eintracht Frankfurt thanks to a superior goal difference. According to La Lazio Siamo Noi, these three clubs have all mathematically clinched a place in the knockout stages. In other words, they are guaranteed to finish among the first 24 clubs in the 36-team table.
The New Format
In the newly implemented system of the competition, the Top Eight clubs qualify directly for the Round of 16, whereas the teams that finish between the 9th and 24th spots will have to go through a play-off round.
Gunning for Top 8
In any case, Lazio will be certainly gunning for a Top 8 finish, and their current status paints them among the favorites to achieve this objective. Their remaining group-stage fixtures are against Ajax, Real Sociedad and Braga.
