The Premier League now has the advantage in the race for an additional spot in the competition for next season after three Italian teams were eliminated from the Champions League this week.
According to the rules for the 36-team edition, two nations can earn bonus spots based on their coefficient points across UEFA competitions. Last year, Italy and Germany benefited, but Serie A teams have struggled this season.
Bologna took that bonus fifth place but did not advance past the league phase, while AC Milan followed them out on Tuesday after losing narrowly to Feyenoord, and Atalanta were taken out by Club Brugge.
Juventus lost a play-off of their own against PSV EIndhoven on Wednesday.
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According to The Mirror, this implies that the Premier League will not suffer as much as it might from Manchester City’s loss to Real Madrid. Italy’s only remaining representatives in the round of 16 are Inter Milan, while three English teams are still there.
ESPN reports that following Wednesday’s games, the Premier League is in first place with a score of 20.892, which is calculated by dividing the total number of coefficient points by the number of European clubs from that nation.
That won’t change following Thursday’s play-off matches, since Chelsea (Conference League) and Manchester United and Tottenham (Europa League) advanced directly to the round of 16 based on their league phase performances.
Spain are second with a score of 18.535. They also have six of their seven teams still alive. Italy sit third despite their midweek woes, scoring 17.812.
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