Six Teams Competing for Top Four Places in Serie A
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The Serie A title is heading to Napoli and has been for some time. However, there is still plenty of excitement at the top of the table in Italy and the race for the top four and Champions League football next season is developing into something special.
It appeared Lazio had sealed their place in the top four a few weeks ago but they have been drawn back into the battle and their place is far from secure with six rounds of fixtures to play in Serie A.
One of the most dramatic moments of the season came when Juventus were deducted 15 points for financial rule violations only for the decision to be revoked. With their 15 points back in the bank, Juventus moved into the top four and they are now one of the favourites to qualify for the Champions League.
Much could depend on the outcome of the Champions League this season, with AC Milan and Inter Milan meeting each other in the semi-final of the competition.
One of the Milan teams will be in the final and will meet either Real Madrid or Manchester City. Whichever team plays in the final, they will be the underdog but should one of them win the competition, it means five teams could play in the Champions League from Italy next season. That would only happen if the team who won the Champions League this season finished outside the top four in Serie A.
Recent results mean Atalanta have emerged as a late contender for the top four. The 3-1 home win over Roma has given them the confidence they can return to the Champions League next season and with Juventus still to play at home, plus Inter Milan away, Atalanta could cause a shock by finishing in the top four.
Roma have the semi-final of the Europa League still to play and winning that competition would see them enter the Champions League next season.
So, if they were to drop behind the other teams contesting the top four in Italy, winning the Europa League would still see them qualify for the 2023/24 Champions League. If Roma win the Europa League and finish in the top four, there is no additional place in the Champions League for the team coming 5th in Serie A.
If Roma win the Europa League and finish outside the top four, the teams in the top four will all qualify for the Champions League next season. The meeting between Roma and Inter Milan on the 6th of May could go a long way to deciding the fate of Jose Mourinho’s team.
Juventus are also competing in the Europa League and they face the same scenario as Roma. In fact, Lazio and Atalanta are the only two teams from the six competing for the top four who are not currently in Europe.
They will have more time to recover between Serie A games but do not have the same number of opportunities to qualify for the Champions League. The race for the top four is going to make for a thrilling end to the Serie A season.
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