The controversial new UEFA Champions League format introduced this season has opened the door for more teams to enter the competition. Spain, however, missed out on securing one of the extra spots for the current campaign due to its underwhelming performance last year compared to Italy and Germany, based on the UEFA coefficient. However, expectations are higher for this season, as all Spanish teams, except Girona, have qualified for the Round of 16 in the various European club competitions (Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League).
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The UEFA coefficient is the key in Champions
UEFA’s ranking system for clubs is straightforward. All three European competitions award 2 points for a win in the league phase and 1 point for a draw (with half the points awarded in the qualifying rounds of each tournament). Once the league phase is over, teams receive additional points for advancing to further rounds: 1.5 points for progressing in the Champions League, 1 point in the Europa League, and 0.5 points in the Conference League. The final score is then divided by the number of teams from each country competing in Europe. For Spain, this number is 7.
Factors that have improved Spain’s chances
Return of competitive teams – Athletic, Real Sociedad, and Betis have performed well in the league stage, in line with their level and the footballing quality of the country they represent. The Europa League final will be held at San Mamés (Bilbao), which has so far served as an extra motivation for the teams and led them to allocate significant resources to reach the event. All three teams have qualified for the Round of 16 in the Europa League (Athletic and Real Sociedad) and the Conference League (Betis).
Improvement of Barcelona and Atlético Madrid – Both teams have won six out of eight group-stage matches in the Champions League, securing direct qualification to the Round of 16 by finishing in the top eight of the competition.
Impact of the new format – Spanish clubs seem to have benefited from the increased number of league-phase matches, where they have earned a significant number of points.
Challenges to remain a top contender in the future
The rise of other leagues – The Premier League continues to be a powerhouse in European football, boasting multiple teams capable of making deep runs in continental tournaments. Furthermore, Serie A and the Bundesliga secured the extra spot for this edition due to their strong performances last year, signaling growth in both leagues.
Lack of squad depth in some teams – Some LaLiga clubs have historically struggled in European tournaments due to a lack of squad rotation options in a demanding calendar. It is not enough for Spanish teams to win international trophies if the rest of the league fails to perform well.
The importance of football academies in Spain for long-term stability – In this context, high-performance academies like SIA Academy play a crucial role in developing Spanish football. The training of young players and their preparation for international competition is essential to strengthening LaLiga’s future and ensuring a competitive level in European tournaments.
Performance in the Europa League and Conference League – The Champions League is not the only competition that matters. Spanish teams competing in the Europa League and Conference League must also advance far to contribute to the UEFA coefficient.
Realistic expectations for the rest of the season
Currently, England holds the top spot in the UEFA coefficient ranking, with Spain in second place. If the season ended today, these two nations would receive the extra spots for next year’s Champions League. Italy has already lost one of its strongest teams, AC Milan, while Germany failed to qualify Stuttgart and Leipzig for the next round of the Champions League. However, nothing is decided yet. The competition between these four countries remains very tight. The final outcome will depend on performances in the remaining matches of the three European competitions, but for now, both the numbers and the overall outlook suggest that Spain has a strong chance of securing the extra spot if it continues performing at a solid level.
