Three claim wins as Strasbourg slump

Three of the teams involved in UEFA Cup Group E enjoyed a productive weekend before Matchday 2, with FK Crvena Zvezda, FC Basel 1893 and AS Roma all recording victories. Tromsø IL will also be pleased with the point they picked up, but RC Strasbourg's dismal domestic campaign shows no sign of improvement.

FK Crvena Zvezda 2-0 FK Javor Ivanjica

Crvena Zvezda stayed on top of the Serbo-Montinegrin First Division after a 2-0 home victory on Saturday against Javor. Both goals were scored by Serbia and Montinegro Under-21 midfielders – Marko Perović breaking the deadlock on 43 minutes and Boško Janković adding a second eleven minutes into the second half. Coach Walter Zenga was understandably pleased, saying: "Another good game, another victory; I am satisfied. We are in brilliant form and I hope that we will continue that in the UEFA Cup. Also, I know that we can play even better."

Saturday's win followed Wednesday's success in the Serbo-Montenegrin Cup, when Crvena Zvezda defeated second division FK Mladost Podgorica 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals. The goals came from young striker Ivan Vuković and Ardian Djokaj. Midfielder Vladimir Mudrinić (knee) and striker Nikola Žigić (muscle) are both doubtful for Thursday's game against Basel, which will be played behind closed doors in Belgrade.

FC Basel 1893 3-1 FC Yverdon-Sports

Basel managed a 3-1 win against Yverdon on Saturday to retain their convincing lead in the Swiss Super League. The home side's goals were scored by David Degen, Scott Chipperfield and Matías Delgado – the Argentinian's tenth of the season. Basel were without long-term injuries César Carignano and Murat Yakin, as well as Mladen Petrić and Papa Malick Ba.

However, both Petrić and Ba should be fit for Thursday's UEFA Cup tie at Crvena Zvezda. Mile Sterjovski, who scored four times in the cup against local rivals BSC Old Boys last weekend, was given a starting berth up front by coach Christian Gross. Looking ahead to the trip to Belgrade, striker Julio Rossi said: "It was important to win this game. Now we also want to do well in Belgrade in order to improve our chances of qualifying."

RC Strasbourg 0-1 AS Saint-Etienne

Strasbourg's stuttering season continued on Saturday as their winless start to the domestic campaign was extended to 14 games. The Alsace side fell to their third consecutive Ligue 1 defeat at the hands of AS Saint-Etienne, Didier Zokora scoring the only goal on 39 minutes. Second from bottom in the top flight, Strasbourg did not enjoy better fortunes in the French League Cup last Wednesday either, losing 1-0 at SM Caen.

Coach Jacky Duguépéroux refuses to panic, however, saying: "I don't think that our problems would be solved if I were to step down. I still believe we can avoid relegation." Duguépéroux is plagued by a long injury list, with Karim Haggui (foot), Alexander Farenerud (ankle) and Sidi Yaya Keita (knee) all expected to miss Thursday’s visit of Tromsø.

Rosenborg BK 1-1 Tromsø IL

Tromsø took a point at outgoing champions Rosenborg in the final round of fixtures in the Norwegian Tippeligaen to finish the domestic season in eighth place. The club were still in danger of relegation as the season reached its conclusion, but five wins and a draw in their last six games secured Tromsø's place in the top flight for another year. Stephen Ademolu gave Tromsø an unexpected lead at the Lerkendal stadium on 47 minutes, scoring from close range, although Daniel Braaten's 62nd-minute equaliser from Øyvind Storflor's cross gave Rosenborg a point.

"I am proud of the players; they have really given their all for the club this autumn," said Tromsø coach Steinar Nilsen, whose only injury worry concerns striker Runar Normann (knee). "We have enough days before [the Strasbourg] game to have fresh legs. A good game against Rosenborg should give us added confidence before the match in France."

AS Roma 2-1 Ascoli Calcio 1898

A goal in added time from substitute Philippe Mexes gave ten-man Roma a last-gasp 2-1 victory against Ascoli on Sunday. The Giallorossi were without captain Francesco Totti, suspended after being sent off in the midweek 3-2 win at FC Internazionale Milano, as coach Luciano Spalletti chose a side with Vincenzo Montella operating as a lone striker. Christian Panucci celebrated signing a new contract by scoring Roma's first goal, before Maurizio Domizzi levelled four minutes from time only for Mexes to restore Roma's advantage with seconds remaining. Just moments earlier Roma defender Cristian Chivu had been sent off for using his elbow.

Spalletti, who was able to field Damiano Tommasi for his first appearance since July 2004, said: "We made a fantastic comeback after Ascoli's equaliser. We only had ten men and I thought it would have been difficult to resume attacking immediately but we did it and we fully deserved our victory. The team showed great character today. We are improving every week."