Which non-Italian teams Serie A fans should support in Europe

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Peter Young | Last updated Feb 21, 2025 1:30 PM ET

Only four Italian teams (Inter, Roma, Lazio and Fiorentina) remain involved in European competition this season, which leaves Italy in a tricky spot in the race for an extra Champions League position.

Here are the teams that Serie A fans should be rooting for if Italy are to pull off the additional Champions League spot for next season.

How things stand in the race for an extra Champions League spot

The top two nations in the UEFA season association coefficient ranking will gain an extra place in the Champions League for 2025-26. Italy and Germany finished in the top two last season, which is why both nations had five teams in the Champions League at the start of the 2024-25 campaign.

As things stand this season, Italy are currently third in the rankings behind Spain in second and England in first.

Italy are at a disadvantage following the elimination of Juventus, Milan and Atalanta earlier this week, which means they now have four teams remaining in Europe, compared to Spain and England’s six apiece.

That means that Italy have ground to make up, and have fewer teams left compared to their competitors to increase their score in the coefficient ranking.

Which teams Serie A fans should support in Europe

If Serie A is to gain an additional spot in next season’s Champions League, it effectively relies on the Spanish teams being eliminated as quickly as possible. The same also goes for England, but Spain are currently closer to Italy in the coefficient rankings, which means they are a marginally easier target to chase down.

The fact that Real Madrid and Atletico have been drawn against each other in the Champions League round of 16 is a benefit to Italy, as it guarantees that at least one of the six Spanish teams will be eliminated in the round of 16.

The other Spanish side left in the Champions League is Barcelona, who will face Benfica. A tough task for the Portuguese, but Barca being knocked out would certainly benefit Serie A.

Then it comes to the Europa League. Roma have been drawn against Athletic Club, which means there is an opportunity for an Italian team to eliminate one of their Spanish rivals.

Serie A supporters will also hope that Manchester United do the league a favour and beat Real Sociedad in one of the other Europa League round of 16 ties.

Then, in the Europa League, Serie A supporters will be hoping that Vitoria SC beat Real Betis. The Portuguese outfit previously drew 1-1 with Fiorentina earlier in the season.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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