Italy were fifth in the 2026/27 UEFA ranking before Thursday's European games. By the time the night was over, they had dropped to ninth, after AC Milan and Atalanta lost and Juventus drew. Sky Sport Italia put it bluntly in its breakdown, saying: "Everything goes badly on Thursday in Europe for the Italian teams: Milan and Atalanta lose, Juventus draw, and the ranking situation becomes complicated again."
Thursday's results that changed the table
The swing was steep. Italy moved from 6.500 points to a position that left them 785 points back from second place, after being 393 points back before Thursday. That shift came after a night in which Milan and Atalanta failed to add points and Juventus could only take a draw. Sky Sport Italia's figure had Italy in fifth before the results, while the updated table placed them ninth.
Milan's 23rd place in the Europa League table is part of the same problem. Too many Italian sides are still leaving points on the table when the ranking race is tight.
Why the ranking still matters
The reason this keeps getting attention is straightforward. The top two nations at the end of the season get an extra team in the next UEFA Champions League. Sky Sport Italia explained the rule this way: "The top two nations in the standings at the end of the season are rewarded with an extra place in the Champions League in the following season"
Italy are still in the race, but Thursday was a bad step back. At 6.500 points, there is room to move, and there are still results to come before the season is settled.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
