In each of Europe’s top five leagues, the Europa League places are allocated in the same manner; one place is awarded based on league finish, whilst the other is given to the country's domestic cup winner.
Naturally, in some cases, the division's higher placing teams often win the cup causing spots to be reassigned, so here’s a breakdown of exactly who will represent Europe’s top five league’s in 2022/23.
The competition for European places was fierce in France this season, as just four points separated fourth to seventh, however, owing to their superior goal difference over Nice, Stade Rennes earned a Europa League football.
This marks a step up from this season's Conference League campaign, with fans hopeful the promise of successive seasons playing European football will be enough to keep star man Martin Terrier at the club.
Owed to their first Coupe de France triumph in 20 years, surprise package Nantes also earned themselves Thursday night football, edging by Nice in a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the final. For a side that is severely inexperienced in both winning silverware and European competition, this represents a massive achievement, as Nantes will play competitive football out with France for the first time since 2000/01.
With Liverpool claiming both domestic cups and a top-four finish this season, the prize of Europa League football for their FA Cup efforts transfers directly to the Premier League.
Consequently, this sees the fifth and sixth-placed sides make the grade for next season's competition, which of course are Arsenal and Manchester United.
Given that Champions League football was well within their control, Arsenal will be kicking themselves in dropping to fifth in the last week of the season. Consecutive losses to Tottenham and Newcastle saw the former steal fourth from under their noses, however in truth at the start of the season, the Gunners would likely have been happy with a fifth-place finish.
It’s a different story for the Red Devils, as they stumbled across the finish line, and if it weren’t for West Hams's defeat to Brighton on the final day, would have found themselves in seventh. Although not synonymous with United, they should count themselves lucky to be amongst England’s representatives for next year's tournament considering their poor season.
In Germany, two relatively inexperienced teams in terms of Europa League football have earned the right to represent the Bundesliga next season.
As DFB Pokal winners RB Leipzig had already qualified for the Champions League, the Europa League places default to fifth and sixth place in the Bundesliga, meaning SC Frieberg and Union Berlin will compete in the 2022/23 iteration of the tournament.
A run of four wins from their last five saw Union Berlin climb the table in the latter stages of the season, with Urs Fischer’s side improving on 2021/22’s Europa Conference League escapades where they failed to get out the group.
As for Frieberg, defeat in their last two league games nearly saw them fall short of qualification, however having been undefeated in their previous three, remained clear of seventh-placed Koln securing Europa League football for the first time since 2013/14.
This season in La Liga, in a rare occurrence, Real Betis perfectly occupied both Europa League allocations. In finishing fifth and lifting the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2004/05, Betis claim both places and owing to their success, sixth-placed Real Sociedad claim the remaining spot.
By lifting the Copa del Rey in April with a victory over Valencia, Betis had European football guaranteed from an early stage, and while they mounted a small challenge on Sevilla for fourth, Manuel Pellegrini’s men ended the campaign five points behind their rivals.
Sixth place ended up a two-horse race between Villareal and Real Sociedad, however, given the former's run to the Champions League semi-finals, their league results ultimately suffered. Sociedad capitalised on this slump, and in matching their results over the final five games finished the season three points clear of the Yellow Submarine securing Europa League football for the second year on the bounce.
With second-placed Inter Milan lifting this season's Coppa Italia, the Europa League places are awarded to Serie A’s fifth and sixth-placed sides; Lazio and Roma.
Golden Boot winner Ciro Immobile has fired Lazio to another season of European football, as the forward's 27 goals have seen his side finish just a point above Roma.
In a similar vein, Tammy Abraham’s debut season for Jose Mourinho’s side has been a telling factor, as his 17 league goals have sealed Roma a sixth-place finish again just a point clear of Fiorentina despite not winning in their last five.
Like Real Betis, Roma also secured a second ticket to next season's tournament by lifting the Conference League, however as their league achievements merited automatic qualification, this place will be redistributed by UEFA.
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