Italy fall behind Spain in UEFA ranking, so 5th Champions League spot at risk

epa11891645 Joao Felix of AC Milan (foreground) in motion towards Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther throughout the UEFA Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and AC Milan, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 12 February 2025. EPA-EFE/SEM VAN DER WAL

The disappointing leads to the play-offs this week imply Italy have slipped behind Spain within the race for a fifth spot within the Champions League for 2025-26.

These are on the primary legs of the play-offs and might be circled subsequent week with the return fixtures.

Atalanta misplaced to Membership Brugge and Milan had been defeated 1-0 by Feyenoord within the Champions League, whereas Juventus earned the one victory by seeing off PSV Eindhoven 2-1.

Within the Europa League, Roma had been held to a 1-1 draw away to FC Porto.

epa11891474 Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta in action during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs 1st leg match between Club Brugge KV and Atalanta BC, in Bruges, Belgium, 12 February 2025. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER MATTHYS — epa11891474 Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta in motion throughout the UEFA Champions League knockout part play-offs 1st leg match between Membership Brugge KV and Atalanta BC, in Bruges, Belgium, 12 February 2025. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER MATTHYS

With the Spanish sides doing so effectively within the play-offs this week, it has had a giant knock-on impact for the UEFA Rating for the 2024-25 season.

The highest two nations will get a fifth place within the Champions League for the following marketing campaign.

England had been high for a lot of the season and stay there, however Spain have now overtaken Italy to take second place.

Germany and Portugal are virtually neck and neck in fourth and fifth, adopted by France in sixth.