Extra Champions League spot: Italy climb again after Roma and Bologna wins

Italy have moved closer to 2nd place in the race for an additional spot in next season’s Champions League after wins for Roma and Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday night. 

Three Italian sides were involved in European action on Thursday night: Roma picked up a useful 2-1 win over the previously unbeaten Midtjylland, Bologna beat RB Salzburg 4-1 at the Dall’Ara, while Fiorentina fell to a 1-0 Conference League loss against AEK Athens. 

There were more wins for the Serie A representatives in the Champions League earlier in the week: Juventus overcame Bodo/Glimt 3-2, Napoli defeated Qarabag 2-0 at the Maradona, and Atalanta beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 away from home. Inter were beaten 2-1 by Atletico Madrid in Spain. 

After Tuesday’s Champions League results, it was confirmed that Italy had moved up to third place in the UEFA season association coefficient ranking, which is used to determine the two nations that receive an additional spot in the following season’s Champions League. 

Italy had slipped back down into fourth position after Wednesday’s results, however, after further victories for Roma and Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday night, Italy has moved back up into third position, behind England in first and Germany in second. Portugal currently occupy fourth position, and to some surprise, Poland are in fifth.