The 2024/25 Serie A season has concluded with drama, intensity, and standout performances that have once again elevated Italian football on the European stage. With Napoli reclaiming the Scudetto and Inter Milan narrowly missing out, the top of the table featured a fierce competition for Champions League qualification. Thanks to UEFA's updated coefficient system, Serie A remains one of the most rewarded leagues in Europe when it comes to European tournament spots.
This article will break down all the Serie A teams qualified for the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League for the 2025/26 season. We’ll look at how they secured their spots, what it means for their future, and what fans can expect when the next European campaign kicks off.
Overview of UEFA Qualification Through Serie A
As of the 2025/26 season, Serie A clubs can qualify for European competitions based on their final standings and domestic cup results:
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Top 4 clubs qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
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5th and 6th place secure spots in the UEFA Europa League.
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7th place earns a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League, provided the Coppa Italia winner has already qualified through the league.
The Italian league retained four Champions League spots this year, but there's increasing potential for additional places in future seasons, thanks to improved performances in UEFA competitions.
Champions League Qualifiers
Napoli
Napoli are back at the top of Italian football, winning their fourth Scudetto after a brilliant campaign under Antonio Conte. With 86 points and the best defensive record in the league, they were crowned champions on the penultimate weekend.
Key players included Victor Osimhen, who scored 22 goals, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who terrorized defenses throughout the season. Conte’s tactical discipline restored balance and hunger to a team that had underachieved last season.
Napoli are expected to be seeded in the Champions League league phase, giving them a favorable path to the knockouts.
Inter Milan
Despite finishing second by a narrow margin, Inter Milan have had a phenomenal season. They remained in title contention until the final matchday, and they are also set to compete in the 2025 UEFA Champions League Final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Simone Inzaghi's men were led by Lautaro Martínez, the league’s top scorer, and had one of the strongest midfield units in Europe. While their late-season slip cost them the domestic title, they will enter the next European season full of confidence, regardless of their result in the current final.
Atalanta
Atalanta surprised many by clinching third place, bouncing back from a couple of inconsistent seasons. Gian Piero Gasperini returned to his high-octane pressing and attacking style that saw the club previously become a UCL quarter-finalist.
The Bergamo side benefitted from strong contributions from Rasmus Højlund and Teun Koopmeiners, and their win against Roma late in the season sealed their Champions League return. Atalanta is expected to be a wild card and could pull off major upsets in Europe.
Juventus
After a year of rebuilding and controversy, Juventus finally got back into the Champions League by finishing fourth. With a squad relying on young talents like Kenan Yıldız and stalwarts like Federico Chiesa, Juventus showed steady progress under Max Allegri.
Though they weren’t as flashy as Inter or Napoli, their defensive resilience and clutch performances ensured they held off competition from Roma and Fiorentina.
Europa League Qualifiers
AS Roma
AS Roma, led by Daniele De Rossi, secured a fifth-place finish in Serie A with a total of 69 points, earning a well-deserved spot in the UEFA Europa League for the 2025/26 season. Their season was characterized by moments of brilliance and some inconsistencies, but overall, the Giallorossi demonstrated enough grit and resilience to secure European football.
Roma’s attacking line was spearheaded by Paulo Dybala, whose creativity and experience in big matches often made the difference. Additionally, Romelu Lukaku’s return to form provided much-needed physicality up front, while Lorenzo Pellegrini orchestrated the midfield with class.
Roma have developed a strong relationship with the Europa League in recent years, including reaching the final in 2023 and semi-finals multiple times. With their passionate fanbase, storied European history, and solid squad depth, expectations will be high for a deep run.
Fiorentina
Fiorentina continued their upward trajectory by finishing sixth in the league with 65 points, thus grabbing the second Europa League spot. Under coach Vincenzo Italiano, the Viola played a stylish brand of football focused on possession, quick transitions, and aggressive pressing.
Fiorentina’s performances in both Serie A and European competitions have steadily improved over recent seasons. Their midfield maestro Giacomo Bonaventura and exciting winger Nicolás González were among the standouts. The addition of a clinical striker during the January transfer window also bolstered their European credentials.
Having reached back-to-back Europa Conference League finals in 2023 and 2024, Fiorentina will now look to make their mark in the more prestigious Europa League. Fans are optimistic this step up will prove fruitful, and the club’s blend of experience and youthful exuberance could turn heads.
Conference League Qualifier
Lazio
Lazio, the eternal rivals of Roma, endured a turbulent campaign filled with ups and downs but eventually secured seventh place, which was enough for a Europa Conference League spot. Despite finishing level on points with Fiorentina, they were edged out due to goal difference.
The departure of Maurizio Sarri midway through the season led to a transitional phase, but interim leadership helped steady the ship. Veteran players like Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto played crucial roles in salvaging their European hopes.
For Lazio, the Conference League offers a golden opportunity to recalibrate, compete seriously for silverware, and potentially reestablish themselves on the European stage. If they take the tournament seriously, they have the quality to go far.
How UEFA Coefficients Affected Serie A Slots
Italy’s consistently strong performances in recent UEFA competitions have helped them maintain their allocation of European qualification spots. Thanks to results from Inter, Roma, Juventus, and Fiorentina in both the Champions League and Europa League, Serie A remains among the top leagues in the UEFA coefficient rankings.
Although Italy didn’t earn an extra fifth Champions League slot like England or Germany did for 2024/25, the Serie A’s four direct UCL entries, two Europa League places, and a Conference League slot demonstrate the league’s continued continental importance.
Should Italian clubs perform well in the upcoming campaigns, there's every chance they could reclaim additional UCL spots in the near future.
Analysis of Serie A 2024/25 Season
The 2024/25 Serie A campaign was one of the most compelling in recent memory, with title races, European battles, and relegation scraps providing drama from start to finish. While Napoli’s triumphant title win stole the headlines, the stories of Atalanta’s resurgence, Roma’s grit, and Fiorentina’s continued rise gave fans a season to remember.
Top Four Battle
The battle for the top four was intense, with Napoli and Inter clearly ahead of the pack for most of the season. However, the real drama unfolded in the fight for the remaining two Champions League spots. Atalanta’s stunning run of form in the final third of the season was a testament to Gian Piero Gasperini’s tactical evolution and smart squad rotation. Juventus, meanwhile, ground out narrow victories and leaned heavily on their traditional strengths—defense and pragmatism—to return to Europe’s top tier.
Midfield Mastery and Tactical Diversity
One of the key takeaways from this season was the tactical richness across the league. Fiorentina’s high-possession approach stood in stark contrast to Lazio’s counter-attacking model, while Inter continued to blend physicality with slick passing patterns.
Serie A also saw an emphasis on versatile midfielders—players like Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Bryan Cristante (Roma), and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli) were integral to their teams’ success. Italian clubs showed that tactical nuance and discipline are still at the heart of Serie A’s global appeal.
Underdogs and Overachievers
Frosinone, newly promoted, punched above their weight by avoiding relegation and even pulling off surprise results against top sides. Bologna and Torino, while not qualifying for Europe, played enterprising football and were tough opponents for every team.
Salernitana, however, struggled all season and were relegated early, joined by Cagliari and Empoli in the drop zone. The league’s competitiveness meant that every point counted—and the final day of the season saw several permutations play out simultaneously for European and survival spots.
Top Performers and Key Players
Several players left their mark on the 2024/25 Serie A season and are expected to shine in the 2025/26 European competitions.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
The Nigerian striker was once again lethal, scoring over 20 goals in all competitions. His pace, strength, and finishing make him a nightmare for defenders.
Lautaro Martínez (Inter)
The Argentine forward topped the scoring charts with 27 league goals, proving his consistency and importance to Inter’s attack.
Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta)
One of the most complete midfielders in the league, Koopmeiners dictated tempo, broke lines, and chipped in with crucial goals.
Paulo Dybala (Roma)
The Argentine playmaker showed class and leadership, orchestrating Roma’s attack with poise and flair.
Giacomo Bonaventura (Fiorentina)
The experienced midfielder was the engine behind Fiorentina’s rise, blending vision, composure, and technical ability.
Luis Alberto (Lazio)
Despite Lazio’s inconsistent form, Luis Alberto remained a creative force, contributing assists and long-range goals throughout the campaign.
European Prospects for Italian Clubs
Italian clubs are entering European competitions in 2025/26 with renewed confidence. After years of transition and rebuilding, Serie A sides now boast stronger squads, deeper benches, and more tactical maturity.
Champions League Outlook
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Napoli and Inter are legitimate quarterfinal contenders. Inter, in particular, with their current form and final appearance, can push for another deep run.
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Atalanta are dark horses. Their unpredictability and fearless style make them difficult opponents.
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Juventus will likely focus on structure and experience to navigate the league phase and beyond.
Europa League Ambitions
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Roma are built for the Europa League. Their squad has depth and the right mentality, and they’ll be among the favorites.
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Fiorentina, with consecutive finals in the Conference League, are seasoned in knockout football and may surprise even in the stronger competition.
Conference League Potential
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Lazio could use the Conference League to regroup and reassert themselves. If they take the tournament seriously, a deep run is very realistic.
Conclusion
With a healthy mix of traditional giants, rising contenders, and seasoned underdogs, Serie A is sending a formidable lineup into the 2025/26 European competitions. Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, and Juventus will fly the flag in the Champions League. Roma and Fiorentina look to dominate the Europa League, while Lazio eyes the Conference League as a path to silverware.
This balanced representation not only strengthens Italy’s UEFA coefficient but also reinforces Serie A’s return to prominence on the continental stage. With elite talent, strong tactical identities, and some of the most passionate fanbases in football, expect Italian clubs to make a serious impact in Europe next season.
About
Q1: How many Serie A teams qualified for Europe in the 2025/26 season?
Seven teams: Four for the Champions League (Napoli, Inter, Atalanta, Juventus), two for the Europa League (Roma, Fiorentina), and one for the Europa Conference League (Lazio).
Q2: Did any Serie A team earn an extra Champions League spot this year?
No, unlike the Premier League and Bundesliga, Serie A retained its four traditional UCL spots for 2025/26.
Q3: Which Serie A club is in the 2025 Champions League Final?
Inter Milan is set to play against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 UEFA Champions League Final.
Q4: Which teams narrowly missed out on Europe?
Torino and Bologna were close contenders but ultimately finished outside the top seven.
Q5: Can Lazio win the Conference League?
Yes, with their experience and quality, Lazio could make a deep run if they approach the competition seriously.