Champions League exclusion, it’s a blow to Juve and Milan: here’s what happened
At a time when emotions and hopes are intertwined with numbers and rankings, the UEFA ranking is one of the key elements in determining how many teams from each country will have direct access to the next edition of the Champions League.
Esclusione dalla Champions League: che mazzata per Juve e Milan – Serieanews
Under the new regulations introduced since last season, in fact, Italy would have been able to enjoy an extra place, rising from four to five qualified teams, thanks to the enlargement of the competition. But the situation is no longer so rosy for Italian soccer, and historic teams such as Juventus and Milan are in danger of being left out of Europe’s top competition, barring a miracle at the end of the season.
Perché il Ranking UEFA è Cruciale per la Champions
The UEFA ranking, for those who do not know, is a kind of “general ranking” that measures the strength of each nation’s teams based on their results in European competitions: the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
The points earned for each win, draw or passing round are added up and then divided by the number of teams participating from the individual leagues. This average determines each country’s final score and, consequently, how many teams will be allowed to participate in the European cups.
Perché il Ranking UEFA è Cruciale per la Champions (Ansa Foto) – Serieanews
With the expansion of the Champions League to 36 teams, Italy had the chance to see five teams qualify, but to secure this extra spot, our country had to remain among the top two nations in the rankings. Here’s where things get complicated: Italy is currently third, bypassed by Portugal. The ranking, updated Jan. 7, reads:
Inghilterra – 13.500 punti
Portogallo – 12.450 punti
Italia – 11.687 punti
Spagna – 11.000 punti
Belgio – 10.900 punti
That is why, if the situation does not change, our Serie A risks losing its fifth Champions League berth for the 2024-2025 season. This is a wake-up call that could translate into a real crisis for Italian teams, particularly those that have historically always participated in Europe’s elite: Juventus and Milan.
Il Rischio di Juve e Milan: un filo sottile tra sogno e realtà
The two big Serie A teams are, in fact, in a spot of trouble that could put them out of the running for the next Champions League. At the league’s halfway mark, Juventus is only fifth in Serie A, and Milan is even in eighth place, with both clubs struggling to find continuity of results. This scenario translates into a harried race to get into the top four positions that will guarantee direct access to the Champions League.
The problem, however, is not only about performance on the field: the UEFA ranking is also determined by the points earned in recent years in Europe. Juventus and AC Milan, although they have participated in European competitions, have failed to achieve the results needed to remain in the top ranks. If the situation persists, they not only risk losing their fifth place in the Champions League, but could also be forced to play for qualification through the preliminary rounds, with the danger of missing out.
Il Portogallo, un rivale pericoloso
Making matters worse is also Portugal, which, thanks to the excellent results of its teams in European competitions, has overtaken Italy in the rankings. Portuguese formations, such as Porto and Benfica, are grinding out valuable points in the Champions and Europa League, while our soccer has repeatedly seen itself fail on the international stage.
If Italy does not make up ground, it could end up fighting for the fourth position with Spain, another nation with a high-level football tradition.
At this point, the only way to avoid a tragic situation would be a decisive turnaround by the Italian teams, but especially Juventus and Milan, who must not only improve in the league but also do well in the ongoing European competitions. Without a turnaround, the Champions League dream for these two historic sides could fade. And with European qualification increasingly becoming a mirage, uncertainty hovers over their heads.
It is not too late, but time is running out: will Milan and Juventus be able to climb back up the ladder and secure a place among the top four, or is Italy really in danger of losing a historic opportunity in the competition that has always fascinated the entire world? The future of Italian teams in Europe hangs by a thread.
This article Champions League Exclusion: what a mauling for Juve and Milan appeared in its original version first on SerieANews.
