Six Champions League places for Italian football? It will be decided in the Europa League

Next season, Champions League football fans will see a new format. This time, the two countries with the best coefficients will send five participants. One of them is Italy, which has been the best performer in European competitions this year. Serie A, however, could have a sixth team in the competition under certain conditions.

Inter Milan are already certain to qualify for the millionaire competition. The latter is very close to the Scudetto, as it only needs to win against city rivals AC on Monday. The title can be secured five rounds in advance.

The situation in the table is fairly even. The aforementioned AC are also close to securing the Champions League next season, with Juventus Turin, Bologna and AS Roma holding the other promotion places.

The Italians need to win the EL

This is a very nice boost for Italian football. As well as the influx of money from the millionaire competition, the increased number of closely watched teams will help lift the reputation of what was once the world’s best competition. But it could be even better for Serie A.

The old continent’s most prestigious competition will have 36 teams from next season, so the possibility of a sixth team from Italy entering is still in play. For that, the country from the Apennine peninsula needs one of their handcuffs on fire to enjoy an overall victory in the Europa League.

Atalanta Bergamo and AS Roma are still in the semi-finals. Atalanta, to everyone’s surprise, got past England’s Liverpool, while the Romans beat AC Milan. After advancing to the top four, the triumph in Europe’s second most prestigious competition is within reach.

Semi-final locked in 🔒#UEL pic.l6ZpzJhHq

– UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 19, 2024

AS will want to go all the way to the top this time

Both of the aforementioned clubs have their motivation taken care of. Bergamo knocked out arguably the biggest favourite, while AS are eager to go all the way to the top this time in the Europa League. Last year, the Wolves, still under the leadership of the famous coach José Mourinho, finished just short of the top, losing to Sevilla in the final.

The current manager will thus be looking to draw on the experience gained during last year’s and the year before’s pilgrimage through European football, as AS Roma lifted the Conference title above their heads in the 2021/22 season.

AS Roma hold 5th place in the table so far, but city rivals Lazio are breathing down their neck. The latter, however, is three points behind and has played two games more. De Rossi’s charges must also be wary of Atalanta, who are just four points behind them. Germany currently have the second best coefficient.

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