FC Schalke 04 took their Europa League winning run to five games from five, as they overcame Ligue 1's top team OGC Nice 2-0 at home. The Royal Blues had already confirmed their passage to the next round of the competition as group winners with their win over FK Krasnodar, and as such, head coach Markus Weinzierl named an heavily-rotated starting eleven, with the likes of Thilo Kehrer and Bernard Tekpetey picking up their first starts.
Despite a few minor scares, it was a fairly routine win for Schalke. They took the lead after 14 minutes, as Yevhen Konoplyanka pounced on a fumble from OGC Nice goalkeeper Yoan Cardinale. The home side stayed in control for the rest of the game, confirming the win through Dennis Aogo's penalty 80 minutes into the match. Tekpetey received his marching order in stoppage time after a collision with Cardinale, having already been booked earlier in the second half. Their final game of Group I will be against FC Salzburg on Thursday 6th December.
Mainz knocked out despite draw
1. FSV Mainz's Europa League dream came to an unfortunate early end, as they failed to get the win or score draw they needed to keep their hopes of progression possible. Mainz put in an impressive and full-blooded performance going forward, but could not break down St. Etienne's defensive barriers. Mainz also stayed firm at the other end, but their search for the vital winner proved fruitless.
Their best chance fell to Yunus Malli, who had his free kick from around 20 yards saved well. Jhon Cordoba looked as though he may well have salvaged the game in the final 10 minutes, but another good piece of goalkeeping maintained the deadlock. Mainz will meet FK Qäbälä for their final group match on Thursday 6th.
Elsewhere, Antonio Rüdiger's AS Roma confirmed their qualification for the next round with a 4-1 win against Viktoria Plzen. Rüdiger started and played the full 90 minutes as he continues to make strides following his anterior cruciate ligament injury, which he sustained in the summer.
FC Schalke 04 took their Europa League winning run to five games from five, as they overcame Ligue 1's top team OGC Nice 2-0 at home. The Royal Blues had already confirmed their passage to the next round of the competition as group winners with their win over FK Krasnodar, and as such, head coach Markus Weinzierl named an heavily-rotated starting eleven, with the likes of Thilo Kehrer and Bernard Tekpetey picking up their first starts.
Despite a few minor scares, it was a fairly routine win for Schalke. They took the lead after 14 minutes, as Yevhen Konoplyanka pounced on a fumble from OGC Nice goalkeeper Yoan Cardinale. The home side stayed in control for the rest of the game, confirming the win through Dennis Aogo's penalty 80 minutes into the match. Tekpetey received his marching order in stoppage time after a collision with Cardinale, having already been booked earlier in the second half. Their final game of Group I will be against FC Salzburg on Thursday 6th December.
Mainz knocked out despite draw
1. FSV Mainz's Europa League dream came to an unfortunate early end, as they failed to get the win or score draw they needed to keep their hopes of progression possible. Mainz put in an impressive and full-blooded performance going forward, but could not break down St. Etienne's defensive barriers. Mainz also stayed firm at the other end, but their search for the vital winner proved fruitless.
Their best chance fell to Yunus Malli, who had his free kick from around 20 yards saved well. Jhon Cordoba looked as though he may well have salvaged the game in the final 10 minutes, but another good piece of goalkeeping maintained the deadlock. Mainz will meet FK Qäbälä for their final group match on Thursday 6th.
Elsewhere, Antonio Rüdiger's AS Roma confirmed their qualification for the next round with a 4-1 win against Viktoria Plzen. Rüdiger started and played the full 90 minutes as he continues to make strides following his anterior cruciate ligament injury, which he sustained in the summer.
