ROME (AP) — Italy is the first nation to benefit from UEFA’s move to award an extra Champions League qualifying spot based on countries’ overall records in European competitions.
With Roma and Atalanta qualifying for the Europa League semifinals and Fiorentina advancing to the last four in the Europa Conference League, the top five finishers in this season’s Serie A will qualify for next season’s expanded 36-team Champions League.
And the Italian league could even have a sixth team in the Champions League if Roma or Atalanta win the Europa League.
In UEFA’s European performance standings, Italy leads with 19.428 points, ahead of Germany (17.928), England (17.375), France (16.083) and Spain (15.312). The points total is averaged across all of each country’s teams that played in the three UEFA competitions this season and rewards their consistency.
California court to weigh in on fight over transgender ballot measure proposal language
'Commonsense' win as fish exports to US given all
Food writer baffles This Morning viewers with tips for cheap lunches
Back to Black film: Does Marisa Abela sing her own songs in the Amy Winehouse biopic?
Eric Bana gets animated during AFL game between the St Kilda Saints and the Western Bulldogs
Inside Harry Kane's family life with devoted wife Katie Goodland after the couple's car crash scare
Trump appeals US$454 million ruling in NY civil fraud case
Italy earns 5th Champions League spot for next season because of overall success in Europe
David de Gea jokingly asks 'who' as he responds to former Man United team
Emiliano Martinez is shown TWO yellow cards but little
ESTHER RANTZEN: I asked Mail readers to help me plan my funeral. Your choices