Extra Champions League spot: Italy dealt blow after Milan and Atalanta losses | OneFootball

Italy are still second in the race for an extra spot in next year’s Champions League, but Spain are now within touching distance after losses for both Milan and Atalanta in the competition’s play-off round on Wednesday night.

Milan were beaten 1-0 by Rotterdam in Feyenoord, while Atalanta fell to a 2-1 defeat against Club Brugge after a controversial penalty right at the end of second-half injury time.

This means that Italy currently sit second in the UEFA seasonal association coefficient ranking, which is used to determine which nation gets an extra spot in the Champions League for the following season.

epa11891805 Igor Paixao of Feyenoord (L) in action against Kyle Walker of AC Milan during the UEFA Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and AC Milan, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 12 February 2025. EPA-EFE/SEM VAN DER WAL

Where Italy stand in race for an extra Champions League spot

Italy are in second with a score of 17.562, second behind England on 20.892.

Following Real Madrid’s 3-2 win away against Manchester City on Tuesday night, Spain currently sit in third in the UEFA rankings with a score of 17.464, which puts them just behind Italy in the race for an extra Champions League spot.

The highest jumper over the last week has been Germany, who have overtaken Portugal in the standings and are now up to fourth with a score of 15.171 after victories for Bayern Munich over Celtic and Borussia Dortmund over Sporting CP.