The Serie A title was awarded long ago, along with the five Champions League spots secured for next season.
Now the big discussion is: what combinations will allow Serie A to bring nine teams to Europe?
In other words, when does sixth place actually qualify for the Champions League, and ninth place qualify for the Conference League?
This uncertainty comes from UEFA’s complicated regulations, but also from the favourable situation this season.
Atalanta reached the Europa League final (Atalanta plays Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, May 22) and Fiorentina secured a place in the Conference League finals (Fiorentina plays Olympiacos on Wednesday, May 29).
The number of Italian teams in Europe next season depends precisely on Atalanta and Fiorentina’s results, as well as their final Serie A positions.
This could mean Roma in sixth place qualifies for the Champions League, without forgetting ninth place may also earn a European spot, currently held by Torino ahead of Napoli.
Here are all the possible scenarios:
ATALANTA WINS EUROPA LEAGUE, FINISHES FIFTH AND FIORENTINA WINS CONFERENCE LEAGUE
The best outcome. Roma would qualify for the Champions League in sixth. Lazio in seventh would go to the Europa League along with Conference League winner Fiorentina.
ITALY WITH 9 TEAMS IN EUROPE
- 6 in Champions League
- 2 in Europa League
- 1 in Conference League
The only 8-team scenario is if Fiorentina finishes eighth, worth the Conference League place normally.
UEFA states “If the Conference League winner qualifies through its league position, the number of entries in that competition for that association is reduced by one.” Italy would have 8 teams, none in the Conference League.
ITALY WITH 8 TEAMS IN EUROPE:
- 6 in Champions League
- 2 in Europa League
- 0 in Conference League
ATALANTA WINS EUROPA LEAGUE, FINISHES FIFTH AND FIORENTINA LOSES CONFERENCE LEAGUE
The six Champions League teams are confirmed, so Roma celebrates leaving Lazio in the Europa League. But Italy only has 8 teams in Europe.
Fiorentina only earns a Conference League spot by finishing eighth, with ninth place earning nothing.
ITALY WITH 8 TEAMS IN EUROPE:
- 6 in Champions League
- 1 in Europa League
- 1 in Conference League
ATALANTA LOSES EUROPA LEAGUE, FINISHES FIFTH AND FIORENTINA WINS CONFERENCE LEAGUE
Italy would have 9 teams in Europe but with a 5-3-1 split between Champions League, Europa League and Conference League instead of 6 teams in the Champions League.
ITALY WITH 9 TEAMS IN EUROPE:
- 5 in Champions League
- 3 in Europa League
- 1 in Conference League
Again, if Fiorentina finishes eighth this prevents ninth place (Torino or Napoli) from the Conference League.
ITALY WITH 8 TEAMS IN EUROPE:
- 5 in Champions League
- 3 in Europa League
- 0 in Conference League
ATALANTA LOSES EUROPA LEAGUE, FINISHES FIFTH AND FIORENTINA LOSES CONFERENCE LEAGUE
The worst scenario. No sixth Champions League team and Roma would play the Europa League with Lazio. Italy also misses out on having 9 teams in Europe unless Fiorentina finishes eighth to earn the Conference League spot.
ITALY WITH 8 TEAMS IN EUROPE:
- 5 in Champions League
- 2 in Europa League
- 1 in Conference League
ATALANTA WINS EUROPA LEAGUE, FINISHES ABOVE FIFTH AND FIORENTINA WINS CONFERENCE LEAGUE
Roma’s problem is if Atalanta finishes fourth or third, possibly with a draw between Bologna and Juventus.
The sixth-placed Serie A team would not go to the Champions League as there are no extra spots.
And if Fiorentina also wins the Conference League? They would go to the Europa League with Roma and Lazio. Italy has 9 teams only if the ninth-placed finisher qualifies.
ITALY WITH 9 TEAMS IN EUROPE:
- 5 in Champions League
- 3 in Europa League
- 1 in Conference League
Again, if Fiorentina wins but finishes eighth, ninth misses the Conference League.
ITALY WITH 8 TEAMS IN EUROPE:
- 5 in Champions League
- 3 in Europa League
- 0 in Conference League
ATALANTA WINS EUROPA LEAGUE, FINISHES ABOVE FIFTH AND FIORENTINA LOSES CONFERENCE LEAGUE
If Atalanta wins the Europa League finishing above fifth, sixth-placed Roma goes to the Europa League, not the Champions League. With Fiorentina losing too, the distribution remains the current 8 teams.
ITALY WITH 8 TEAMS IN EUROPE:
- 5 in Champions League
- 2 in Europa League
- 1 in Conference League
