MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: An Italy flag is waved by a fan prior to the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Italian football has been on a bit of a high lately. Last season, five Serie A teams made it into the Champions, which was a huge deal. But for the upcoming 2025–26 season, it’s back to the usual four spots. Why? Italy just missed out on grabbing that bonus fifth place this time around.
Analysts tracking football metrics, including those at TonyBet, have kept a close eye on how Serie A clubs perform and what fixtures will be worth watching in the edition of UCL.
Who’s In? The Four Italian Teams Going to the Champions
Even without the extra slot, Italy is sending four solid teams into Europe’s biggest competition:
- Napoli – They absolutely ran the show in Serie A last season. Rock-solid defence, smart play, and tons of experience.
- Inter Milan – Came in second. Steady all year and starting to look like a serious European force again.
- Atalanta – Fast, fearless, and always fun to watch. They keep proving they belong at the top level.
- Juventus – A staple of Italian football. Better squad, better balance, and they earned their spot.
What Happened to the Fifth Spot?
UEFA now gives two bonus Champions places to the countries whose clubs perform best in Europe each season.
Last year, Italy crushed it—so we got a fifth team in. But this time, England and Spain finished ahead in the rankings. Italian clubs didn’t earn quite enough points across the board to stay in that top two.
So it’s four teams for Italy this season.
What This Means for Serie A
Even without the bonus, having four teams in the Champions is still a win. It means more eyes on Italian football, more money for the clubs, and more chances for young players to show what they’ve got.
The new Champions setup means more games for everyone, which also means way busier schedules. Teams are going to need solid depth and smart rotation if they want to keep up.
Still in the Mix: As Roma, Fiorentina
AS Roma and Fiorentina didn’t make it this time, but they’re not out of the picture. They’ve got quality and just need the right run of form to get back in it next season. The race for the top spots in Serie A is always wide open.
Things change fast—injuries, transfers, coaching changes. Pretty much anything can shake up the table.
Final Thoughts
Serie A may not have scored that fifth Champions spot this year, but the league’s still heading in the right direction. The four teams going in are legit contenders, and there’s plenty of talent rising through the ranks.
Fans have every reason to be excited. Italian football is still very much in the mix.
Image:Getty
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