ROMA MAINTAIN UCL CHASE WITH VICTORY

AS Roma are one of several teams chasing down the Champions League places in the Italian Serie A this season. The Italian capital club has had to endure Europa League football for some seasons but a return to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) is a possibility at the moment with the team currently in the top four places needed to guarantee Champions League football for next season. Roma started the weekend outside the top four spots on the league table as the likes of league leaders Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus and Atalanta occupied those places.Roma knew that a win over Genoa in the early kickoff will take them above Atalanta into fourth place and that was exactly what happened. Roma were able to secure the win needed over relegation threatened Genoa to seal fourth place ahead of UEFA Champions League campaigners Atalanta.

Roma didn't have things their way in the home clash with Genoa in the Italian Serie A on Sunday afternoon as they had to endure some uncomfortable moments to secure a slim 1-0 win over their visitors. Italian international centre back Gianluca Mancini was the hero for AS Roma after he scored the only goal of the game for his team from a well worked corner kick. Fellow Italian international Lorenzo Pellegrini provided the assist for the goal scored on 24 minutes. With the win, AS Roma moved to fourth place with 50 points and nine points off league leaders Inter Milan, who have a tricky home game with Atalanta. Atalanta are now in fifth place with 49 points but a point against Inter will be enough to take them above AS Roma and back into fourth place. For AS Roma, attention shifts to the first leg of their round of 16 Europa League clash with Shakthar Donetsk of Ukraine. AS Roma host the first leg on Thursday before the return leg in Ukraine next week Thursday.