Italian Spring in the Europa League

The Italian representative in the Europa League had good luck. There is the potential for a final between Italian teams.

AFP/ISABELLA BONOTTO

Atalanta players and Coach Gian Piero Gasperini (center) celebrate their success in advancing to the Europa League semifinals by eliminating Liverpool, early Friday morning WIB.

ROME, FRIDAY — In contrast to the European Champions League, representatives of the Italian League showed their dominance in the Europa League. This season, Italy underwent a spring season by placing two of its representatives in the semifinals. This certainty was obtained after Atalanta and AS Roma passed obstacles in the quarter-finals, Friday (19/4/2024) early morning WIB. The potential for a final between Italian representatives is wide open.

Atalanta and Roma saved the face of Italian football on the European stage. "The Goddess", nicknamed Atalanta, advanced to the semifinals after stopping Liverpool, who were favorites to win with an aggregate lead of 3-1. A similar aggregate advantage was recorded by Roma, who won the duel between Italian representatives against AC Milan.

This result ensured Roma's advancement to the semifinals for two consecutive seasons. The team led by Coach Daniele De Rossi will face a tough match in the semifinals against the rising Bayern Leverkusen. In the other semifinal match, Atalanta will challenge Olympique Marseille.

"This is a historic achievement. We are happy for ourselves, for the Bergamo community, and for the club. We truly strived to give our best and it showed. We played two great matches and deserved to reach the semifinals," said Atalanta defender Davide Zappacosta, as quoted from the UEFA website.

Also read: Without a miracle, there are only regrets for Liverpool in Bergamo

The situation for Italian representatives in the Europa League is very different from in the Champions League. After sending one representative to the final last season, this season all Italian representatives have been eliminated in the round of 16. Inter Milan, last year's finalists, who were expected to maintain Italy's reputation, were actually defeated by the underestimated Atletico Madrid.

AFP/FILIPPO MONTEFORTE

The expressions of AC Milan's front players, Luka Jovic and Olivier Giroud, after the second quarter-final match of the Europa League between AS Roma and AC Milan at the Olympic Stadium in Rome early morning on Friday (19/4/2024) were evident.

The Europa League seems to be the favorite habitat of Italian representatives for the past two seasons. Last season, Italy also sent two representatives, Juventus and Roma, to the semifinals. The potential for Italian representatives was also open last season after Roma won against Leverkusen. However, Juventus failed to conquer Sevilla so only Roma appeared in the final.

Although they failed to make the finals between Italian teams last season, the resurgence of Italian representatives in the second-tier European club competitions is worth noting. The success of qualifying more than one representative to the semifinals for two consecutive seasons is quite exceptional.

Also read: Revenge Mission Burns AS Roma's Spirit

This can be attributed to the strong dominance of Inter in the Italian League. Inter is a strong candidate for this season's league champion with a very wide points lead. Inter can even claim the championship title with five matches remaining in the league. The certainty of the trophy for Inter will be put to the test in next week's Milan derby.

The strong domination of Inter in the league leaves no other choice for teams below them but to fight to the max in the Europa League. Because opportunities for teams like Roma, Milan, and Atalanta to win titles are only available there.

Therefore, it is not surprising that Milan coach Stefano Pioli expressed how vital the second meeting against Roma in the quarter-finals was. That's because the certainty that Milan can end the season with a trophy is determined there.

AFP/FILIPPO MONTEFORTE

AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud and AS Roma defender Gianluca Mancini compete for the ball during the second quarter-final match of the Europa League between AS Roma and AC Milan at the Olimpico Stadium in Rome on Friday (19/4/2024) early morning WIB.

Milan is currently ranked second in the league. However, their distance from Inter is too far, which is 14 points. With such a point difference, the championship title for Inter seems to be just a matter of time.

"This match is very important, so we do not need any other motivation. It is a game that must be played and won, no matter how you start it," said Pioli, as quoted from Milan's official website.

A similar phenomenon is happening in Germany. This season, the German League is the talk of the town following Leverkusen's success in ending Bayern Munich's 11-season dominance. Leverkusen successfully became the champion of the German League earlier after defeating Werder Bremen 5-0. Leverkusen is guaranteed to be the champion with six more matches left in the league.

Also read: From ”Neverkusen” to ”Meisterkusen”, Bayer Leverkusen Champions the German League

Even more impressive, Leverkusen leads by 13 points over Munich in second place. With such a situation, it is only natural that Munich fights tooth and nail in the Champions League as that is where their hopes of winning a trophy still lie.

Likewise with Borussia Dortmund, which is currently ranked fifth in the league. Apart from being certain to fail to become champions of the German League, Dortmund is threatened with not appearing in the Champions League next season if they end the season at their current level.

BERND THISSEN/DPA VIA AP

Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer from Dortmund (center) celebrated his goal against Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Wednesday morning (17/4/2024) Indonesian time. Dortmund advanced to the semifinals after winning with an aggregate score of 5-4.

The only way for Dortmund to continue playing in the Champions League next season is by winning it this season. It is no wonder that Dortmund players are giving their best effort in sending Spanish representative, Atletico Madrid, packing in the quarterfinals.

The same motivational force inspired Munich when they ended Arsenal's resistance. Germany also sent two representatives to the Champions League semifinals.

As the representative of Italy in the Europa League, the chance for Germany to meet its two representatives in the final is very open. Dortmund will face Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals, while in the other match, Muenchen must first beat Real Madrid.