What Atalanta must do to open sixth Champions League spot

Roma and Lazio now have to cheer on Atalanta, but not too much, because only a very specific set of circumstances will open up a sixth Champions League spot for Italy.

La Dea gave themselves a massive boost in the battle for Champions League qualification with Sunday night’s 2-1 win over Roma.

It sends them three points clear of the Giallorossi and four ahead of Lazio, while Inter, Milan, Juventus and Bologna have already sealed their place in the 2024-25 tournament.

As Italy topped the co-efficient charts, they receive a fifth spot in the Champions League for next season.

It could still technically be the top six who qualify, but Atalanta need to keep a very delicate balance here.

That’s because in order to open up a sixth spot, La Dea must beat Bayer Leverkusen to lift the Europa League, but finish in fifth place in Serie A.

If they win the Europa League and finish fourth, that will not guarantee Italian football a sixth team in the Champions League.

Atalanta keep everyone waiting

Even that might not be decided until after the Serie A season has concluded, because Atalanta still have a game in hand to play against Fiorentina on June 2.

That was postponed from March 17 when Viola director Joe Barone collapsed just hours before kick-off, dying two days later in hospital.

It is entirely possible for Atalanta to take a top four finish, because Bologna and Juventus go head-to-head next week, so both cannot earn another six points this season.