The end of the 2020-21 Serie A season is set to take place this Sunday, and some of the top teams in the league could end up missing out on European competitions if things do not go their way.
Juventus' dominance in the league came to an end this season, but the bianconeri's problems have gone further beyond that, as they are at risk of missing out on playing next year's UEFA Champions League. Other teams that could suffer the same fate are AC Milan and Napoli, while Atalanta are on the driver's seat and in second place right now.
As for the UEFA Europa League, Lazio have secured their spot in the competition and Roma are one win away from securing their place in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Let's have a look at the standings prior to this weekend's games.
| Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Internazionale | 36 | 29 | 5 | 2 | 86 | 19 | +67 | 92 | WLWWD | |
| 2 | Milan | 35 | 21 | 8 | 6 | 67 | 42 | +25 | 71 | DDLDW | |
| 3 | Juventus | 35 | 18 | 12 | 5 | 48 | 27 | +21 | 66 | DDDDW | |
| 4 | Bologna | 35 | 17 | 13 | 5 | 49 | 27 | +22 | 64 | DDWDD | |
| 5 | Atalanta | 34 | 18 | 6 | 10 | 63 | 38 | +25 | 60 | WWWDL | |
| 6 | Roma | 35 | 17 | 9 | 9 | 62 | 42 | +20 | 60 | DDWLW | |
| 7 | Lazio | 35 | 17 | 5 | 13 | 45 | 37 | +8 | 56 | DWWWL | |
| 8 | Napoli | 35 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 53 | 44 | +9 | 51 | DDLDW | |
| 9 | Fiorentina | 34 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 51 | 39 | +12 | 50 | LWWDL | |
| 10 | Torino | 35 | 11 | 14 | 10 | 31 | 31 | 0 | 47 | DLDDL | |
| 11 | Monza | 35 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 38 | 46 | -8 | 45 | DDLDL | |
| 12 | Genoa | 35 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 41 | 43 | -2 | 43 | DWLDW | |
| 13 | Lecce | 35 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 32 | 50 | -18 | 37 | DDWWL | |
| 14 | Hellas Verona | 35 | 8 | 10 | 17 | 33 | 46 | -13 | 34 | WLWDL | |
| 15 | Cagliari | 35 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 37 | 60 | -23 | 33 | DLDDW | |
| 16 | Frosinone | 36 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 43 | 68 | -25 | 32 | LDWDD | |
| 17 | Empoli | 35 | 8 | 8 | 19 | 26 | 50 | -24 | 32 | DLWLW | |
| 18 | Udinese | 35 | 4 | 18 | 13 | 33 | 52 | -19 | 30 | DDLLL | |
| 19 | Sassuolo | 35 | 7 | 8 | 20 | 41 | 70 | -29 | 29 | WLLDD | |
| 20 | Salernitana | 35 | 2 | 9 | 24 | 27 | 75 | -48 | 15 | LLLLD |
What each team needs to earn a spot in the UEFA Champions League
Atalanta: La Dea have the easiest path to secure a spot in the premier club competition in Europe. Gian Piero Gasperini's men are second with 78 points, and only a disastrous end to the season, with a heavy loss for them and a win for Milan, Napoli, and Juventus, could deprive them from the spot in the UEFA Champions League.
AC Milan: The leaders for the first half of the season have jeopardized their spot in the UCL after dropping points in three of their last six games. The rossoneri could have secured their place in the club competition last week, but a draw against Cagliari complicated things for Stefano Pioli's side. Now, a loss or even a draw against Atalanta combined with a win for Juventus could condemn them to play the UEFA Europa League once more.
Napoli: Gli Azzurri are fourth at the moment, and a win could secure the UCL spot for Gattuso's men. Nevertheless, a loss or a draw when they host Hellas Verona could leave them in bad form against Juventus, who could claim a top-four spot with a win.
Juventus: The 2019-20 champions had a disappointing season, and this match could mark the end of an era in the event of a defeat against Bologna. Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. need to win and wait for developments, especially in the Atalanta - Milan game, which could give them a chance to secure a top-four finish.
What about the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Europa Conference League?
Lazio: I Biancocelesti have already secured a spot for themselves in the UEFA Europa League, as they are seven points clear off their city neighbors Roma, who are seventh before Matchday 38.
Roma: The Giallorossi will welcome José Mourinho as their coach next season, and they can do so with a UEFA Europa Conference League ticket in their hands. All they have to do to secure that spot is beat Spezia on Sunday.
Sassuolo: The neroverdi side could strip Roma from their UECL spot if they can manage to beat Lazio and Roma drops points against Spezia. Otherwise, the team coached by Roberto de Zerbi will have to watch all European tournaments on TV.
And what about relegation in the Italian top-flight?
The teams that will play in the Italian Serie B have already been determined before Matchday 38. Benevento (32 points), Crotone (22 points), and Parma (20 points) will try to return to Serie A in the 2021-22 campaign.
Keep track of all the action in the Italian top-flight by visiting our dedicated Serie A website here.
