The exploits of Italian clubs in Europe could see Serie A regain a fourth Champions League spot for 2017/18.
After losing out to Germany's Bundesliga at the end of the 2010/11 season, Italy has sent only three teams into Europe's premier club competition, but this season's points could yet see Serie A overtake the English Premier League.
All of the English teams were eliminated from European competition before the Quarter Final stage of the Champions League and Europa League, while Juventus, Napoli and Fiorentina are still involved.
The exploits of Italian clubs in Europe could see Serie A regain a fourth Champions League spot for 2017/18.
After losing out to Germany's Bundesliga at the end of the 2010/11 season, Italy has sent only three teams into Europe's premier club competition, but this season's points could yet see Serie A overtake the English Premier League.
All of the English teams were eliminated from European competition before the Quarter Final stage of the Champions League and Europa League, while Juventus, Napoli and Fiorentina are still involved.
Wins for the former two and an away draw for the Viola mean all three have a decent chance of progressing to the Semi-Finals, which would have a big effect on Serie A’s UEFA coefficient.
While the English top flight cannot be surpassed this season – even if the Bianconeri lift the Champions League and there’s an all-Italian Europa League final – the system means Italy will get significantly closer.
The coefficients are based on a five-year total, with the 2010/11 season to be discounted at the start of next term.
Given that the Premier League picked up 18.357 points that year, compared to Serie A’s 11.571, the Italian top-flight will automatically move closer, with the Bundesliga moving up into second.
On current ranking, Italian clubs would only have to repeat their exploits of this season, and hope no English teams made the last eight again to see Serie A move into third for 2017/18.
In the scenario where Juventus win the Champions League and there’s an all-Italian final in the other competition, Serie A would be less than a point behind.
That would mean the Italian top-flight would be awarded four Champions League places for 2017/18, with the Premier League losing its own fourth spot.