Roma vs. VfB Stuttgart: UEFA Europa League LIVE blog and team news

VfB Stuttgart are away at Roma as they push for a place in the top eight of the UEFA Europa League with two games left in the league phase on Thursday (kick-off: 9pm CET).

Stuttgart are going well on all three fronts this season, in the running for UEFA Champions League qualification in the Bundesliga, into the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup and sitting only a point outside the top eight in the Europa League.

Sebastian Hoeneß's men - who come into Thursday's clash following a 1-1 draw against Union Berlin at the weekend - have won their last three in Europe against Feyenoord (2-0), Go Ahead Eagles (4-0) and Maccabi Tel Aviv (4-1) to move on to 12 points from six games in ninth place. Bilal El Khannouss has led their continental charge with three goals, scoring in three of the four wins so far, although his Africa Cup of Nations participation means the Moroccan won't be available.

The Bundesliga side have a chance to ensure a place in at least the knockout play-offs with a win in Italy, while a direct spot in the last 16 is still very much within their reach, finishing the league phase at home to Young Boys next week.

Roma are one position behind Stuttgart, also on 12 points but having scored two goals fewer. The Italians also won their opening match before back-to-back defeats and now three wins in a row, including two victories in Glasgow over Rangers (2-0) and Celtic (3-0). Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are away at Panathinaikos on Matchday 8.

Follow the game below!

VS

Roma

Thu, 22.01 20:00

Stuttgart

Europa League
League phase, Matchday 7 League phase, Matchday 7 Stadio Olimpico, Rome

1:03

Watch: Stuttgart 1-1 Union Berlin - highlights

Wooyeong Jeong cancelled out Chris Führich's opener as Union claimed a share of the spoils at the MHPArena on Sunday.

Stuttgart nearing knockout play-off berth

Bilal El Khannouss has led their continental charge, starring with three goals, scoring in three of the four wins so far, although his Africa Cup of Nations participation means the Moroccan won't be available.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Wolfgang Frank

Stuttgart - the story so far

Sebastian Hoeneß's men have a chance to ensure a place in at least the knockout play-offs with a win in Italy, and they're coming into this game with confidence. Like Roma, Stuttgart have victories in their last three European fixtures, beating Feyenoord (2-0), Go Ahead Eagles (4-0) and Maccabi Tel Aviv (4-1) to move on to 12 points from six games in ninth place.

© IMAGO/Steven Mohr

Roma - the story so far

A Matchday 1 victory in Nice (2-1) preceded home defeats against Lille (1-0) and Viktoria Plzeň (2-1), but Roma come into this game with three straight wins against Rangers (2-0), Midtjylland (2-1) and Celtic (3-0).

© Ian MacNicol

Welcome!

Follow all of the build-up and live action from VfB Stuttgart's UEFA Europa League clash against Roma, as both teams meet in a competitive fixture for the first time.

About the clubs

VfB Stuttgart

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