Italy’s Serie A clubs have seen a remarkable turnaround in their European performances over the past decade. Once struggling to secure more than two guaranteed spots in the Champions League group stages, the league has now earned five spots for next season’s competition. This success is due to Italy’s impressive coefficient ranking, which currently places them at the top. Germany could overtake Italy if results go their way in the remaining European semi-finals, but either way, Serie A has made significant progress in European competitions.
The possibility of having six Italian teams in the Champions League next season is a testament to Serie A’s resurgence on the European stage. Atalanta and Roma are currently in contention in the Europa League, and should either of them win the tournament, the sixth-place Serie A team would earn a spot in the Champions League. Atalanta, currently sixth in Serie A, will benefit from this should they not secure a Europa League victory.
In the Europa League semi-finals, Roma faced a challenging first leg against Bayer Leverkusen, losing 2-0. Leverkusen dominated the match, capitalizing on mistakes from Roma’s defense to secure the victory. Meanwhile, Atalanta fared better in their first leg against Marseille, securing a 1-1 draw in France. As the teams head into the second legs, Atalanta has the advantage and is poised to potentially reach the final.
The prospect of an Atalanta vs. Leverkusen final has football fans excited, as it promises to be a tactical battle between two attacking teams. Additionally, Leverkusen is closing in on a historic treble, adding intrigue to the potential final matchup. With strong showings in the first legs of the Europa League semi-finals, there is a high likelihood of at least one Italian team making it to the finals in Dublin on May 22. Italian clubs have shown significant improvement in European competitions, and their success this season is a reflection of that progress.
