A new Champions League format is set to begin in 2018, with four teams from the four highest-ranked associations automatically entering the group stage. This will have little impact to English, Spanish or German clubs, but it will have some bearing to the Italian teams.
Italy currently get three Champions League places each year, but the issue is that only one Italian side is actually good enough. Roma were eliminated in the qualifying stage, the sixth Italian team in seven years to be eliminated at that stage. The losing side qualifies for the Europa League, but Italian clubs have no pedigree there either. Only Napoli in 2014/15 of the arrivals from the Champions League play-off stage have made it past the last 16.
Juventus and Napoli are the two sides flying the Italian flag in this year’s Champions League group stage. Juventus are likely to top their group and Napoli have a good chance of qualifying as well, but what will happen then? Realistically, Napoli will fall at the first hurdle of the knockout stage, leaving Juventus to be the sole Italian representative in the latter stages. The Old Lady was the only Italian team to qualify for the knockout stage last season, but were eliminated in the last 16.
So why the need for a fourth team? Is it because the two clubs from Milan have flexed their muscles and requested that UEFA hand out wildcards based on “historical success”? If we go by that theory alone, then Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa should also be handed entry to the competition based on their performances in the 1970s and 1980s.
In reality, this change has been forced upon by Europe’s big, but underachieving clubs who have seen the riches of the Premier League and are afraid that they’ll be left behind. After all, you can earn more money by finishing bottom of the Premier League, than winning the Champions League.
What changes have been made and how long will they be in place for?
These changes for the Champions League and the Europa League will be present in the 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 tournaments.
– The winners of the Europa League will automatically qualify for the Champions League group stage. They enter at the play-off round in the current format.
– The top four clubs from the four top-ranked national associations will now automatically qualify for the group stage.
– Full details for the access list to both competitions will be published at the end of 2016.
– There will be a new system for club coefficients.
– Historical success will play a part in coefficient calculation.
– Both competitions will see a significant increase in financial distribution to clubs.
– A new financial distribution will see sporting performances better rewarded, while the market pool share will decrease.
What doesn’t change?
– All clubs from all associations can enter through their domestic league finish and qualify for both competitions.
– The Champions League will continue to have 32 teams participating in the group stage, with 16 qualifying for the knockout phase. The Europa League remains at 48 teams.