Roma, Bologna, and Fiorentina gave Italy a perfect Thursday in the "minor" European cups, taking home three wins from as many games.
In the Europa League, Roma won 3-0 at Celtic, setting the record straight right from the start: they broke the deadlock in the sixth minute with an own goal from Scales set up by Mancini, then found the net through striker Ferguson, who scored a brace late in the first half. A penalty missed and a goal disallowed for offside for the Scots.
Gasperini's team, with 12 points with two games remaining, is almost guaranteed a playoff spot and can even hope to finish in the top eight and secure a place in the round of 16.
Bologna also won the Europa League, coming from behind to win 2-1 in Spain, with Bernardeschi scoring twice to counter Celta Vigo's early lead, courtesy of a Zaragoza victory. The Felsinei now have 11 points, making the playoffs almost assured and even holding out for a spot in the top eight.
Fiorentina returned to winning ways, defeating Dynamo Kyiv 2-1 at home in the Conference League : Mykhaylenko responded to Kean's early lead, then Gudmundsson scored the winner in the 74th minute. Fiorentina rose to nine points from five games. The standings in the top-flight group are very tight, and anything can happen; the next three matches will be crucial.
