Italy can celebrate a significant footballing achievement as five of its teams clinch spots in the prestigious UEFA Champions League for the 2024-25 season. Roma emerged victorious with a 3-1 aggregate score over Stefano Pioli’s Milan. Meanwhile, Atalanta demonstrated their dominance by defeating Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool with an identical scoreline over two legs. Fiorentina secured their spot in the final four of the Conference League with a commanding 2-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen during extra time.
Italy’s football federation can revel in the glory of being the first nation to secure an additional spot in Europe’s premier club competition. Germany and England will vie for the other extra Champions League berth.
The upcoming 2024-25 edition of the Champions League promises an exciting format change, expanding to feature 36 clubs instead of the traditional 32. The tournament will witness the first half contested as a mini-league, departing from the previous format of eight separate groups.
However, amidst the celebration, Italian football fans dare to dream of an even greater feat—a sixth Champions League spot. This ambitious goal hinges on a specific scenario: an Italian team must triumph in the Europa League while simultaneously finishing outside the top five in Serie A.
This intriguing possibility places Roma and Atalanta in the spotlight, as they currently occupy the fifth and sixth positions in the Serie A standings, respectively.
