The Premier League suffered a huge blow in the race for a fifth Champions League spot next year after Arsenal and Man City were knocked out of the competition.
Europe’s top leagues have been going head-to-head this season in a bid to earn an additional spot in next season’s competition, with two countries to do so ahead of the introduction of the new Champions League format.
The continent’s premier competition will be expanded from next year for the first time since 2003-2004, growing from 32 clubs in an eight-group style to 36 clubs in what is known as a ‘Swiss’ format.
It will see teams play eight matches in the qualification stage, four home and four away, with the top eight teams progressing to the last 16 and ninth to 24th facing off in two-legged play-offs.
Two of the extra spots will be awarded to the best-performing leagues in Europe this season, and, after Arsenal and City’s defeats, the Premier League are not among them.
Man City were dumped out of the Champions League after a shootout defeat to Real Madrid. Currently, Italy and Germany lead the table with scores of 18.428 and 17.642 respectively – with England closely following behind on 16.875.
Germany have two teams in the Champions League semi-finals in Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, as well as Bayer Leverkusen.
Meanwhile, Italy have four teams remaining in AC Milan, Roma, Fiorentina and Atalanta, leaving them in good stead in the rankings.
England have just three teams remaining in Europe with Liverpool, West Ham and Aston Villa still in the Europa League and Europa Conference League.
However, after Liverpool suffered a damaging 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in their first-leg and West Ham lost 2-0 to Bayer Leverkusen, the rankings can be wrapped up on Thursday.
A victory for Xabi Alonso’s side would guarantee that the Germans could not be caught be England in the rankings, thus ruling out a fifth spot in next year’s Champions League.
A win for a club in Europe is worth two points in the rankings, and a draw one. Bonus points can be collected by progressing in each competition, with more earned for the higher caliber of tournament.
The total points are then divided by the number of teams in Europe from the nation at the start of the season. In the Premier League, the total is divided by seven rather than eight due to West Ham qualifying via winning the Conference League.
While England’s success in Europe could be good news for teams chasing a Champions League spot, it will also benefit those lower down the table.
It would mean qualification for the Europa League and Conference League would in theory be easier, with the spots for qualification moving down.
That would see sixth and seventh qualify for the Europa League – assuming a Champions League side win the FA Cup – would earn a Conference League spot.
(Daily Mail)
