Italy say goodbye to dream of fifth Champions League place | OneFootball

It is now mathematically impossible for Italy to get a fifth Champions League spot, as Lazio’s elimination from the Europa League means that England and Spain will get the extra slot in 2025-26.

Serie A had been given the opportunity to send five teams into the top UEFA tournament in 2024-25 thanks to their position in the coefficient ranking for the previous year.

They had been on track to do it again, as Inter are through to the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, while Fiorentina will face Real Betis in the Conference League semi-final.

Italy can no longer catch Spain in UEFA ranking

FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 17: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina in action during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between ACF Fiorentina and NK Celje at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 17, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

However, as Lazio went out on penalties to Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League quarter-final after a 3-3 aggregate draw, it means it is now mathematically impossible for Italy to catch Spain in the UEFA ranking for this season.

England and Spain will therefore get a fifth spot in the Champions League for next term, while Serie A will only get four.

Calcio still has two clubs left in the semi-finals of the three UEFA tournaments, but there are three Spanish sides and four English.