Extra Champions League spot: Uphill battle for Italy after Milan and Atalanta losses | OneFootball

Italy face an uphill battle in the race for an extra spot in next season’s Champions League following Milan and Atalanta’s losses elimination from this season’s tournament on Tuesday night.

Italy faces uphill battle for extra Champions League spot

Milan were eliminated after a 1-1 draw with Feyenoord on the night, which meant a 2-1 loss on aggregate in the play-off round. Atalanta were beaten 3-1 by Club Brugge in Bergamo, which meant a 5-2 aggregate defeat.

epa11906200 Referee Felix Zwayer shows the red card to Rafael Toloi of Atalanta during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs 2nd leg match between Atalanta BC and Club Brugge KV at the Bergamo Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, 18 February 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

A disappointing night for the Italian competing Italian sides could have further repercussions, as it now seems even more tricky to beat Spain to the extra Champions League spot for 2025-26.

England are currently sitting fairly comfortably at the top of the UEFA seasonal association ranking with an average score of 20.892. Spain are currently second with 18.035. Italy are third with 17.812.

Italy’s hopes of increasing their ranking now lie with Inter, Juventus, Roma, Lazio and Fiorentina. Bologna were also eliminated from the Champions League at the end of the league phase.

Italy have five teams remaining in European competitions this season compared to Spain’s six: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Club, Real Sociedad and Real Betis. Girona are the only Spanish side to have been eliminated from European competition this season.