ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 23: Gianluca Mancini of AS Roma looks dejected after the team’s defeat in the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between AS Roma and FC Viktoria Plzen at Stadio Olimpico on October 23, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
After the first three matchdays, Midtjylland are the unexpected leaders of the Europa League table, with both Bologna and Roma floundering in the bottom half.
This is the second season using the new opening league phase format of the tournament, with all 36 teams going into a single table.
It was evident from last term that overall goal difference is crucial when so many sides are going to have roughly the same number of points.
After three games, only three teams still have a 100 per cent record, as Midtjylland are on top with a goal difference of +6, ahead of Sporting Braga and Olympique Lyonnais, all with nine points.
Only the top eight go straight through to the Europa League Round of 16, with the sides from ninth to 24th entering the play-offs.
Teams from 25th to 36th position are eliminated from Europe altogether.
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 23: Wesley Franca of AS Roma is challenged by Prince Kwabena Adu of Viktoria Plzen during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between AS Roma and FC Viktoria Plzen at Stadio Olimpico on October 23, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Bologna are currently in 18th position on four points from three games, having lost 1-0 away to Aston Villa, drawn 1-1 with Freiburg and beaten FCSB 2-1.
Roma are hovering just above the elimination places on three points following their 2-1 win at OGC Nice, then home defeats to both Lille and Viktoria Plzen.
However, it’s by a thread, seeing as they have a goal difference of -1, the same as Feyenoord in 25th place and the elimination spots.
The Giallorossi are ahead purely because they scored two away goals compared to one from Basel and zero for Feyenoord.
Thijs Dallinga celebrates scoring for Bologna against FCSB (@bologna1909)
Europa League standings after Matchday 3
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