The recent European defeats of Bologna and Fiorentina have pushed Italy to fifth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings, effectively eliminating Serie A’s prospect of gaining an additional Champions League berth for the 2026-27 season.
Both Bologna and Fiorentina, the remaining Italian representatives in European club competitions this season, experienced substantial losses on Thursday, severely undermining Italy’s ambition to finish in the top two of the UEFA coefficient standings.
Bologna succumbed to a 3-1 home defeat against Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-finals, while Fiorentina was beaten 3-0 away by Crystal Palace in the same round of the Conference League.
Earlier in the Europa League, Bologna had successfully eliminated Roma in the Round of 16. Atalanta, the Serie A club that progressed furthest in the Champions League this season, faced elimination in the Round of 16 against Bayern Munich.
Serie A clubs have generally underperformed in Europe’s premier competition this campaign. Napoli was eliminated in the league phase, while Inter and Juventus were knocked out in the knockout play-off round.
England has already secured an extra Champions League spot for the upcoming season. Spain is currently the frontrunner for the second and final available place, holding the second position in the standings with six teams still competing in European competitions.
UEFA Coefficient Ranking: Top 6
England: 25.569 points (5/9 teams remaining)
Spain: 20.906 points (6/8 teams remaining)
Germany: 20.285 points (3/7 teams remaining)
Portugal: 19.300 points (3/5 teams remaining)
Italy: 18.714 points (2/7 teams remaining)
France: 16.678 points (2/7 teams remaining)
English Translation:
Italy’s UEFA Ranking Slump Ends Hopes of Extra Champions League Spot
The recent European defeats of Bologna and Fiorentina have relegated Italy to fifth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings, making it virtually impossible for Serie A to secure an additional Champions League spot for the 2026-27 season.
Bologna and Fiorentina, the sole remaining Serie A representatives in European competitions this season, suffered significant losses on Thursday, effectively extinguishing Italy’s aspirations of finishing in the top two of the UEFA coefficient ranking.
Bologna was defeated 3-1 at home by Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-finals, while Fiorentina lost 3-0 away to Crystal Palace in the same stage of the Conference League.
Previously, Bologna had eliminated Roma from the Europa League Round of 16. Atalanta had been the Serie A team with the longest run in the Champions League this season, ultimately being eliminated in the Round of 16 by Bayern Munich.
Serie A clubs have demonstrated a particularly disappointing performance in Europe’s elite competition this term, with Napoli being knocked out in the league phase and Inter and Juventus eliminated in the knockout play-off rounds.
England has already secured an extra Champions League spot for the next season. Spain is considered the favorite for the second and final available place, currently sitting second in the standings with six teams still active in European competitions.
UEFA Coefficient Ranking: Top 6
England: 25.569 points (5/9 teams remaining)
Spain: 20.906 points (6/8 teams remaining)
Germany: 20.285 points (3/7 teams remaining)
Portugal: 19.300 points (3/5 teams remaining)
Italy: 18.714 points (2/7 teams remaining)
France: 16.678 points (2/7 teams remaining)
