Italy’s European season is already carrying a domestic consequence. After four Serie A rounds, Milan sit two points from fourth place and Juventus three behind it, while both clubs know that the UEFA association ranking could yet widen the route back into the Champions League.
Milan and Juventus see European ranking as part of Serie A race
The calculation is no longer confined to results, groups and qualification rounds. Each European week also shapes the seasonal UEFA ranking of national associations, with the top two countries earning an extra Champions League entrant for the following campaign.
Quick facts
- Italy secured an additional Champions League place in 2024, allowing Bologna to qualify.
- Milan finished fifth and Juventus sixth in Serie A last season, sending both into the Europa League.
- A Champions League participant can collect up to 29.5 ranking points, compared with 23 in the Europa League and 20.5 in the Conference League.
- After the opening Champions League matchday, Azerbaijan, Norway and Portugal occupy the top three positions in the seasonal ranking.
Italian football has already seen how the system can work. In 2024, Serie A’s collective European return produced an extra Champions League berth, and Bologna were the club to profit from it.
That achievement did not rest solely on Italy’s Champions League sides. Napoli, Inter and Lazio all went out in the round of 16, beaten by Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively.
The decisive contributions came elsewhere. Atalanta lifted the Europa League by defeating previously unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen, while Fiorentina reached the Conference League final before losing to Olympiacos.
For Milan and Juventus, the Europa League is therefore more than a consolation after missing Champions League qualification on the final day last season. A long run in the competition would add to Italy’s overall position and could also improve their own prospects in the league table.
The highest European competition offers the larger points ceiling, but the Europa League remains capable of making a major difference. A club’s total is built from wins, draws, progress through rounds and its position in the single league phase.
If Italy again finishes among the leading two associations, fifth place in Serie A could be enough for Champions League football. That is particularly relevant to Milan, who ended the previous championship in that exact position.
The current ranking is far too early to treat as settled. With only one Champions League round completed, the presence of Azerbaijan, Norway and Portugal at the summit underlines how much remains to change.
Still, Italy’s clubs have an early opportunity to set the direction. In a period without a World Cup, the European club calendar has become the country’s principal international measure, and every Thursday or Tuesday can now echo into Sunday’s Serie A table.
SEO Title: Milan and Juventus: UEFA Ranking Could Shape Serie A Champions League Race
SEO Description: Milan and Juventus can aid Italy’s UEFA ranking through the Europa League, with an extra Champions League place potentially affecting the Serie A race.
