The battle for an additional UEFA Champions League berth is heating up as the top leagues in Europe reach their climax. Germany’s Bundesliga and Italy’s Serie A are the frontrunners for the extra spot, while England’s Premier League is facing an uphill battle.
Germany is in a strong position with two UEFA Champions League semifinalists in Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, as well as a UEFA Europa League contender in Bayer Leverkusen. This gives the Bundesliga a significant advantage in the race for the extra berth.
Italy has already secured the first additional berth and boasts two UEFA Europa League semifinalists in AS Roma and Atalanta. Fiorentina, currently competing in the UEFA Europa Conference League, could also potentially qualify for the Champions League, further strengthening Italy’s position.
England’s hopes of securing the extra berth are fading after a series of setbacks. Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, and Manchester United have all been eliminated from European competition, leaving only West Ham United in contention. However, West Ham’s exit from the UEFA Europa League has weakened their chances of benefiting from an extra Champions League place.
In Spain, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Club, and Real Sociedad are all at risk of dropping out of UCL contention. Atletico Madrid’s disappointing quarterfinal loss to Borussia Dortmund has dealt a major blow to their hopes, while Athletic Club and Real Sociedad have underperformed in La Liga this season.
France’s Ligue 1 remains in contention for an extra UCL berth despite the unlikely presence of Stade Brestois 29 in a Champions League spot. Lille OSC, OGC Nice, and RC Lens are all competing for the remaining qualification places, while Stade Rennais, Olympique Lyonnais, and Stade de Reims could all benefit from an extra European berth if Paris Saint-Germain wins the Coupe de France.
Overall, the race for the additional UEFA Champions League berth is still wide open, with several leagues and teams still in contention. As the season draws to a close, the battle for qualification is expected to intensify, with several high-profile names likely missing out on Europe’s elite club competition.
