England increases lead over Italy in UEFA association club coefficient rankings
Thursday 3 March 2016 17:45, UK
February was a good month for English teams in Europe as the Premier League battles to stay ahead of Serie A in the UEFA association club coefficient rankings.
The Premier League currently ranks third, one place ahead of Serie A in fourth, and must maintain that position through the end of this season to ensure English teams will be allocated four UEFA Champions League slots for the 2017/18 season.
Following last season's rankings, which decided the allocations for 2016/17, England were second behind Spain and ahead of Germany in the table but the Premier League has slipped behind the Bundesliga this season.
The rankings are calculated over a five-year period, meaning the 2010/11 campaign, which was especially good for England and weak for Italy, is dropping out of the reckoning and that has closed the gap between the two.
This season, Premier League teams marginally outperformed their Italian counterparts in the group stages of both senior club competitions and February's results have helped increase the gap.
Manchester City's 3-1 Champions League win at Dynamo Kiev, coupled with Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United all making Europa League progress means the Premier League now leads Serie A 73.909 to 70.272.
Spain remain miles in front at the top with 97.713 and are on course to become the first ever association to break the 100-mark barrier. Germany have the season's second highest total to consolidate their second-placed position in the five-year rankings.
