Italian elite division, Serie A, may field six Champions League teams next season after Atalanta’s Europa League final triumph on Wednesday, May 22.
Nigeria international Ademola Lookman emerged as the hero of the night as Atalanta bundled the all-conquering Bayer Leverkusen side to win their first European title.
Lookman became the first player to score a hat-trick in a European final to shatter Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run.
Atalanta’ triumph was not only a win for the Bergamo-based outfit but for Serie A as well. Based on UEFA’s new 36-team Champions League format, Serie A may now field six Champions League teams in the elite club competition next season, and a maximum 8 teams in all European club competitions next season.
How Serie A could field 6 teams in UCL next season
Following an impressive European campaign this season, Serie A emerged top of the UEFA coefficient rankings.
Based on the new UEFA Champions League format, set to take off next season, the two top European leagues on the UEFA coefficient rankings are awarded additional 5th slot in the competition. Serie A and German Bundesliga have won the two slots.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Serie A could field six Champions League teams in the revamped UEFA Champions League next season following Atalanta’s Europa League.
Europa League winners are awarded automatic slot in Champions League group stages even if they finished below top four in their respective domestic leagues.
Atalanta is currently 5th on the Serie A table with 66 points and have two games in hand before the end of the season. They are 3 points better than Roma, who have one game left before the end of the campaign.
If Atalanta finish outside the Champions League places in the Italian top-flight after the end of the campaign, Serie A will field six teams in the Champions League next season but if they finished in the Champion League places (1st to 5th position), only five teams may be fielded.
However, Football Rankings notes the status of Serie A’s 6th Champions League slot is by no means certain. Serie A may have to write UEFA for further clarifications before the slot is confirmed.
