epa11891645 Joao Felix of AC Milan (foreground) in action against Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther during 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 results in the play-offs this week mean Italy have slipped behind Spain in the race for a fifth spot in the Champions League for 2025-26.
These are on the first legs of the play-offs and could be turned around next week with the return fixtures.
Atalanta lost to Club Brugge and Milan were defeated 1-0 by Feyenoord in the Champions League, while Juventus earned the only victory by seeing off PSV Eindhoven 2-1.
In the Europa League, Roma were 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
With the Spanish sides doing so well in the play-offs this week, it has had a big knock-on effect for the UEFA Ranking for the 2024-25 season.
The top two countries will get a fifth place in the Champions League for the next campaign.
England had been top for much of the season and remain there, but Spain have now overtaken Italy to take second place.
Germany and Portugal are practically neck and neck in fourth and fifth, followed by France in sixth.
UEFA Ranking 2024-25
England 20,892
Spain 18,035
Italy 17,687
Germany 15,421
Portugal 15,350
France 14,214
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