As is possible in the Bundesliga, there could also be six Champions League participants in Serie A next season. Unless Atalanta make up one more place
The second title in the club’s history – after a 61-year wait – was not “just” a joy in itself for Atalanta Bergamo. Winning the Europa League final against previously unbeaten Bayer 04 Leverkusen also had a nice side effect for the northern Italians: the EL title means they have more or less qualified twice for the upcoming Champions League season. Which would not actually have been necessary.
With one matchday to go and the Bergamo side still having a game in hand, i.e. two to play, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team are comfortably ahead of AS Roma in fifth place with a three-point lead. Because the direct comparison counts in Italy and Atalanta won this against Roma, fifth place was already secure before the EL final.
And that alone is enough to play in the reformed top flight in 2024/25 – because Serie A, like the Bundesliga, has been awarded a fifth direct starting place thanks to its good performances in this European Cup season. So far, so good for Atalanta, for whom it no longer matters. But now it does for another club – in a curious scenario.
If Atalanta remain fifth, the fifth starting place awarded via the league would go to the sixth-placed team because the Bergamo side have already qualified thanks to their EL title. Sixth-placed AS Roma would then benefit – Italy would have a sixth CL participant
Benfica are keeping their fingers crossed for Atalanta
However, if Atalanta still finish fourth, which seems entirely possible based on the standings (Juventus are fourth with 68 points from 37 games, Atalanta are on 66 points after 36 games and therefore have it in their own hands), the situation changes. In this case, Juve would finish fifth and would still be in the CL, but the CL place that Atalanta had virtually doubled would be redistributed by UEFA to a team from the CL qualifiers. Specifically to the Portuguese record champions Benfica.
Bergamo will play their two remaining league games at home against FC Torino and AC Florence, both of whom are still in contention for international football. Fiorentina, meanwhile, will play in the Conference League final on May 29 (against Olympiakos Piraeus) and, if successful, will no longer be dependent on their league position. It’s all a bit strange in this final week of Serie A.
