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.
Swiatek beats Raducanu in Stuttgart quarters. Sabalenka loses to Vondrousova
HKFP Lens: Hong Kong through the eyes of photojournalist Wong Kan
Queen Letizia and King Felipe arrive at funeral of Fernando Gomez
A man gets 19 years for a downtown St. Louis crash that cost a teen volleyball player her legs
What is happening with the NZ housing market this week?
Queen Letizia and King Felipe arrive at funeral of Fernando Gomez
Girl, five, dies after being hit by a lorry as she rode her bike outside school
Emma Roberts keeps it casual in a hoodie and Dragon Ball Z t