News Focus
- Inter Milan defeated Lazio 2-0 in the Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico.
- The victory completes a historic domestic double for the Nerazzurri, who already won the Serie A title.
- Both fifth and sixth place in the final Serie A table will now qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
- The team finishing in seventh position will enter the UEFA Conference League.
- Atalanta and Roma are set to benefit from the additional European places.
Inter Milan lifted the Coppa Italia trophy on Wednesday evening following a solid 2-0 win against Lazio in Rome. The result allows the Nerazzurri to seal a famous domestic double this campaign, having already secured the league championship.
The triumph brings important changes to the European qualification structure for Italian clubs. Normally, the Coppa Italia winners earn a spot in the Europa League. However, because Inter have already qualified for the Champions League via their league position, this extra place goes to another Serie A side.
Consequently, the clubs that finish fifth and sixth in the final standings will both compete in next season’s Europa League. The team that ends the season in seventh place will take the remaining spot in the Conference League.
This shift is excellent news for Atalanta, who look likely to finish seventh and will now play continental football. It also means Roma are guaranteed a place in the Europa League at minimum.