What happens with Italy's European places after Atalanta's Europa League win? The full permutations for Serie A
What happens with Italy's European places after Atalanta's Europa League win? The full permutations for Serie A
Atalanta may be celebrating after winning their first European trophy and inflicting Bayer Leverkusen with their first defeat of the season after winning the Europa League final, but this has complicated matters for Serie A's European places next season.
Luckily, ESPN's Dale Johnson has broken down what will happen ahead of the final day of the Italian season and what Atalanta's triumph in Dublin means for the European spots.
How many Champions League spots have Serie A got?
This is the simple bit. Italy will have five teams in the UEFA Champions League next season.
Champions Inter and AC Milan guaranteed Champions League football, with Juventus and Bologna making up the top four and Atalanta in fifth.
Can Roma in sixth still make the Champions League?
In theory, yes. Roma will finish in sixth place but will wait on Atalanta's final league placing. If Atalanta finishes 5th, AS Roma will be in the UCL; however, if Atalanta finishes 3rd or 4th, AS Roma will be in the UEL.
Atalanta currently sit two points outside the top 4 with a game in hand - which confuses things further.
Their game in hand is against fellow European finalists Fiorentina and will be played on June 2 - a week after the end of the season. Therefore Roma will have an anxious wait on what competition they will play in next season.
Does this affect any other European teams?
Of course. Benfica needs Atalanta to finish 3rd or 4th to reach the Champions League group stage. If Atalanta finishes 5th, they will take up the UEL titleholder place, Serie A have only 1 team in UEL through the league, and Benfica have to qualify.
Barcelona are also waiting on Atalanta to see what pot they'll be in for the Group Stage draw. If the Italians finish in the top 4, Barca will be in pot 1. However, if Roma qualify, the Spanish side will be put in pot 2 due to Roma's higher coefficient.
How many Italian teams could play in Europe in 2023-24?
If Fiorentina win the Europa Conference League and finish outside the top seven in Serie A, then Italy could have nine teams playing across the European competitions next season.
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