The knockout phase in the UEFA Women’s Champions League takes place without SKN St. Pölten. The Lower Austrians clearly lost 0:5 (0:1) to AS Roma in the Stadio Domenico Francioni in Latina on Friday evening in a game that was interrupted for a long time due to heavy rain and an unplayable pitch. The dream of promotion to the quarter-finals would only have lived on if they had won.
The hosts, who won the first leg of Group B in the NV Arena in a curious game 4-3, started the game well after the restart and often came close to the generic goal. Mateja Zver had the best chance in the first half for the “wolves”, whose shot went just over the goal.
Annamaria Serturini (34th) secured the lead for the superior Romans, for whom ÖFB team captain Carina Wenninger was in charge of defence, after a pass from Manuela Giugliano. In the 40th minute, goalkeeper Carina Schlueter prevented Emilie Haavi from making it 0:2 with a remarkable save. With the 0:1 we went into the break.
Four goals in the closing stages
St. Pölten initially managed to keep the game open, Jasmin Eder had the chance to equalize in the 80th minute, goalkeeper Camelia Ceasar saved. In return, Valentina Giacinti (82′), Manuela Giugliano (84′, 86′) and Benedetta Glionna (88′) sealed the fate of St. Pölten within just six minutes.
At the end of the group phase and for St. Pölten no longer important for progress, Wolfsburg are guests on December 22nd. The Germans played 0-0 at home against Slavia Prague on Friday evening. Wolfsburg leads the table and has eleven points more than AS Roma, both clubs are confirmed as promoted.
Match interrupted for almost an hour and a half
After just under seven and a half minutes of play, the match in Rome was 0-0 because of the wet conditions. The players quickly found their way into the dressing room, and those responsible on the pitch then discussed whether it was still possible to play. As the rain subsided and the masses of water could be pushed off the green, the decision was made to continue after a break of almost one and a half hours.
