The Premier League has retained its four Champions League places for another year despite Arsenal’s exit on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners were dumped out by Barcelona following a 3-1 defeat at Camp Nou, but Juventus’ elimination from the competition after Bayern Munich’s remarkable revival means Italy only have Lazio remaining in the Champions League and Europa League.
Had teams from Serie A fared better in this year’s two competitions, the Premier League could have lost one of its places in the Champions League for the 2017/18 season. But it is now mathematically impossible for Italy to overtake England in Uefa’s coefficient table – even if Lazio go on to win the Europa League.
Uefa’s coefficient ranking system is based on the last five seasons, with clubs from each nation scoring points for wins or draws in both the Europa League and Champions League. England are currently 3.97 points ahead of Italy.
Italy’s chances of stealing a place from England will increase next season as the 2011-12 campaign – in which Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final – will not count in the coefficient standings.
