All Italian sides still in Europe

By Football Italia staff

Serie A is the only league with all of its teams still in European competition after Christmas, though Spain could follow tonight.

Roma won their Champions League group ahead of Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, while Juventus also advanced to the Last 16 after finishing behind Barcelona in Group D.

While Napoli were eliminated last night, they will drop down into the Last 32 of the Europa League for Monday’s draw.

Lazio and Milan have both already won their groups in that competition, and Atalanta could follow suit tonight if they beat Lyon, or draw 0-0 or 1-1.

Even if the Orobici lose though, they’re already in the Last 32 so all of Italy’s European representatives are still in contention.

It’s likely Spain will follow, with Athletic Club only needing a draw to ensure they qualify from Europa League Group J, meaning La Liga would have seven teams still in Europe.

Six of the seven English teams are also still in Europe, but Everton were knocked out of the Europa League in Atalanta’s group.

Germany have fared relatively poorly this season, with RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund both dropping to the Europa League after finishing third in their respective Champions League groups.

In addition, Hertha Berlin and Hoffenheim are out of the Europa League, while Koln must beat Red Star in Belgrade tonight to go through.

Freiburg were eliminated in the third qualifying round by NK Domžale.

That means that if the season ended now, Serie A would be above the Bundesliga and ranked as Europe’s third best league, behind La Liga and the Premier League.

As thing stand, the Spanish league would have 100.141 points, the English 74.748 and the Italian 71.082 over the five season average.

As things currently stand, the German league would have 67.998 points.

However, new Champions League qualification rules mean all four of the top leagues get four automatic group stage places next season, and Ligue 1 is along way behind on 53.081 points.

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