Where Italy Now Stands In Race For Extra Champions League Place
Mixed results in the elite competition and Europa League have had an effect.
Italy remain adrift in the race for another Champions League spot next season.
Italy Fifth In UEFA Coefficient Rankings, Champions League Blow
A fifth Serie A club took part in the competition during the 2023-24 campaign, with Bologna benefitting on that occasion, but they are off the pace this year.
Inter Milan, Napoli, Atalanta and Juventus are the four representatives this season, but a series of mixed results has affected their overall UEFA coefficient tally, which determines who receives the extra spot.
While Inter, Atalanta and Juventus have been mathematically confirmed for the two-legged play-offs, Napoli could be knocked out already after drawing 1-1 with Copenhagen.
Antonio Conte’s side have been given precarious coin-toss odds of 50/50 to finish in the top 24 and will likely have to beat Chelsea at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to get over the dotted line.
Results in the Europa League also play a crucial role in the coefficient standings. Roma beat Stuttgart 2-0 after Niccolo Pisilli’s outstanding brace, while Bologna came from two goals down to draw with Celtic.
How Does UEFA Coefficient Work?
In short, points are calculated by combining the results achieved by every nation’s teams taking part in European competitions, stretching from the Champions League to the Conference League.
Points are determined by the outcome of each match, with two awarded for a win and one for a draw. Further points are added for the knockout round, with the tally then divided by the number of participants.
For Italy, this is seven, with Fiorentina progressing in UEFA’s third-tier tournament.
At the end of the campaign, the top two countries will earn an additional spot in next season’s Champions League. Last time out, England and Spain emerged victorious, with Italy finishing an agonising third.
Extra Champions League Spot Rankings Revealed – Italy Fifth
Without further ado, here is the updated UEFA table, which is subject to change this season.
- England – 14.152
- Poland – 13.625
- Germany – 12.428
- Spain – 12.187
- Italy – 12.035
- Portugal – 11.600
- Cyprus – 11.406
- France – 11.000
- Greece – 10.500
- Denmark – 9.625
Germany have shot up the rankings, overtaking Poland in second place, while Cyprus have slumped down to seventh. The changes were largely affected by the Conference League league phase bonuses.
Italy, meanwhile, remain fifth, comfortably adrift of the top two. Clearly, then, there is work to be done.
Dan Davis
Dan is an experienced sports journalist and part-time lecturer. An expert on Serie A and Italian football, he has produced content for the likes of the Daily Mail, Reach PLC, GiveMeSport, FourFourTwo and GRV Media. While Channel 4's iconic Football Italia was a bit before his time, the nostalgia - and pastries - fuelled his love of all things Calcio.
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