The Italian Serie A has cause for celebration as it has secured an additional place in next season’s Champions League, bringing the total to five teams from the league. This achievement has been made possible by the outstanding performance of Italian clubs across European competitions this season.
The allocation of additional European Performance Spots has resulted in two leagues receiving an extra place in the revamped 36-team Champions League. Italy’s position in the top two was solidified by the impressive performance of three of its teams, with three clubs reaching the semifinals. This exceptional display has propelled Serie A into securing the coveted extra spot.
Although no Italian team made it to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, the successful journey of AS Roma and Atalanta to the semifinals of the Europa League, and Fiorentina’s advancement to the last four of the Europa Conference League, contributed to Serie A achieving the highest coefficient score from all leagues. This remarkable feat ensured that Italy could not finish outside the top two.
In contrast, it was a difficult quarterfinal draw for the English Premier League, leading to the elimination of four out of its five remaining clubs, leaving only Aston Villa active in the Europa Conference League. This setback tilted the scales in favour of the Bundesliga, with Germany pulling ahead in the race for the second place spot. The success of Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, and Borussia Dortmund in eliminating English clubs propelled Germany’s ascent.
Ligue 1, with two teams still in contention, remains a formidable force, with France potentially securing a higher total coefficient score than England. As the competition heats up, the battle for the remaining Champions League place is becoming even more intense.
With the upcoming changes, the fifth-place team in Italy will now qualify for the Champions League. Currently, this position is held by Roma, with Atalanta close behind in sixth place. If either of these clubs secures a victory in the Europa League and finishes outside the top four, Serie A could boast an incredible six teams in the Champions League. The same possibility applies to Borussia Dortmund, placed fifth in the Bundesliga.
Overall, this development marks a significant milestone for Serie A, underscoring the league’s strength and competitiveness on the European stage. As the landscape of the Champions League continues to evolve, it is clear that Italian football will be well-represented in the prestigious tournament next season.