UEFA Secretary General Giorgio Marchetti has confirmed that if Fiorentina clinch the Conference League title and finishes outside Serie A’s top seven, Italy could have nine teams competing in European tournaments next season.
The clarification comes amidst some confusion due to Italy earning an additional Champions League spot by topping UEFA’s club competition rankings. If Fiorentina triumph over Olympiacos in the Conference League Final on May 29, they will secure a place in the Europa League.
Marchetti explained to Sky Sport Italia that:
“If Fiorentina win the Conference league and finishes eighth, and Atalanta wins the Europa League, the ninth placed in Serie A will qualify for the Conference league with nine Italian teams in the European cups.”
This will be either Torino or Napoli, depending on the final round results.
This scenario would see the top nine Serie A teams qualify for European competitions: the top five (or six, if Atalanta finishes in a qualifying position) would enter the Champions League, the sixth and seventh teams, along with Fiorentina, would go into the Europa League, and the ninth-placed team would enter the Conference League.
