The Spanish league earned the extra spot due to the collective performance of its clubs in Europe this season
La Liga will feature five teams in next season’s Champions League after Athletic Club qualified for the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday while Italy’s Lazio was knocked out on penalties.
According to UEFA’s new format, the national associations that rank first and second in the season association coefficients will be allowed to field an extra spot for the next season’s Champions League competition.
England’s Premier League was confirmed early in April to have an extra spot, following the success of teams like Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea in Europe. Arsenal knocked out Real Madrid in the Champions League, while Manchester United are still unbeaten in Europe. Both Tottenham and Chelsea have also progressed to the semi-finals of the Europa League and Conference League respectively, with Chelsea having lost only a single game.
With Athletic now advancing to the semi-finals of the Europa League, it means that Spain still have three teams out of seven in Europe, while the Premier League (currently first in the rankings) have four out of seven. Italy are third in the rankings with only two clubs out of eight left.
Fifth place in La Liga will likely be contested primarily by Villareal and Real Betis. Villareal, currently fifth, are three points clear of Betis with a game in hand.
