Atalanta’s victory in the Europa League could potentially result in six Serie A teams participating in the UEFA Champions League next season.

Gian Piero Gasperini, the head coach/manager of Atalanta, was seen celebrating at full time as Atalanta BC emerged victorious in the 2024 UEFA Europa League. This triumph is not only a significant achievement for the club but also great news for Italian football as it opens up the possibility of having six Serie A clubs qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

For the first time in their 116-year history, Atalanta has secured a UEFA trophy. This remarkable feat has earned them a place in the Champions League for only the fourth time. However, there is a chance that they will be joined by five other Italian teams in the elite competition next year.

The outcome of Atalanta’s upcoming matches will determine whether six Serie A clubs will enter the 2024/25 Champions League. Serie A has been awarded five places in the next season’s competition based on their performance across the three European competitions this campaign. Inter Milan, AC Milan, Bologna, Juventus, and Atalanta are already guaranteed a place, with AS Roma also having a chance to qualify.

Roma, currently sitting in sixth position in the league table, needs Atalanta to finish no higher than fifth place in order to secure their spot in next season’s Champions League. Atalanta’s victory in the Europa League guarantees them a place in the top-tier competition, but their current fifth-place position benefits Roma by providing an extra place. If Atalanta finishes higher than fifth, Roma will have to settle for a spot in the Europa League.

However, Roma will have to wait until next month to find out if they will earn a spot in the Champions League. This is because Atalanta still has two matches remaining in Serie A. They will face Torino on Sunday and conclude their league campaign against Fiorentina on June 2, a week after the end of the Serie A season.

There is also a possibility that nine Italian teams could qualify for European competitions next season. Fiorentina has the opportunity to secure a place in the Europa League if they win the UEFA Conference final against Olympiacos next week. Currently in eighth place, if Fiorentina finishes outside the top seven but emerges victorious next week, they will join Roma and Lazio in the Europa League as the team in ninth place.

Torino and Napoli are currently battling for that ninth-place spot ahead of the last day of the Serie A season on Sunday. The outcome of this battle will determine the final Italian team to qualify for European competitions next season.