Serie A

Why no Europa League derby between Roma and Lazio is good for Italy and Serie A – Football Italia – February 21 latest

February 22, 2025

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Why no Europa League derby between Roma and Lazio is good for Italy and Serie A – Football Italia – February 21 latest

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 05: Players of both side’s clash during the Serie A match between AS Roma and SS Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on January 05, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Roma and Lazio have been drawn on the opposite side of the Europa League bracket, which means there will be no European Derby della Capitale unless both teams reach the final, but this is still a situation that could potentially benefit Italy and the rest of Serie A. Here’s why.

Why no Roma-Lazio in Europe helps Italy and Serie A

Roma have been drawn against Athletic Club for the Europa League round of 16, which will take place in the midweek slots of March 6 and March 13. Lazio, meanwhile, have Viktoria Plzen, but are on the opposite side of the draw to their city rivals.

Click here to see how the draw unfolded.

The fact that the two sides can not meet until the Europa League final helps Italy and the rest of Serie A in terms of the nation’s placement in the UEFA association coefficient rankings.

The season association coefficients are used to determine which two teams gain an extra spot in next year’s Champions League. Italy finished in the top two last year, along with Germany, which is why both had five teams in the Champions League at the start of the 2024-25 campaign.

As things stand this season, Italy are third in the rankings behind England and Spain.

Italy are at a disadvantage following the elimination of Juventus, Milan and Atalanta from the Champions League over the last week, which means that there are now only four Italian teams remaining across the three European competitions (Inter, Roma, Lazio and Fiorentina).

Match Referee, Szymon Marciniak gestures, as AC Milan players appeal a red card shown to teammate Theo Hernandez, during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between AC Milan and Feyenoord at San Siro Stadium on February 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Spain and England, meanwhile, have six teams each remaining in European competition this term, which means they have a larger chance of increasing their points tallies in the coefficient rankings compared to Italy.

The fact that Roma and Lazio can not meet until the final means that there is a bigger chance of more Italian teams surviving in Europe, which Italy and Serie A need if they are to gain an additional Champions League spot next season.

Additionally, the fact that Roma have been drawn against Athletic Club means that there is an opportunity for an Italian side to eliminate one of the six remaining Spanish sides, which again helps the odds of an extra Italian team in the Champions League next year.