Lazio lost its Champions League spot to Udinese in 2010-11 season when top four Italians teams were to qualify for the Champions League. Both of them had 66 points at the end of the season but Udinese finisihed ahead of Lazio because of their head-to-head record.
A year later, Lazio finished 4th in the 2011-12 season but they still could not be able to qualify for the Champions League as Italy lost its Champions League place to Germany's Bundesliga. Lazio 4th finish would have been enough to go through to the Champions League for the previous nine seasons, also Milan and Inter also won Champions League between 2006 to 2011, the performances of the German clubs in the latter rounds of the UEFA Europa and Champions League saw the Bundesliga slowly add up points to drive out Italians from the rankings.
After four years, Serie A still looking to win back their place which they lost to German Bundesliga. They are fourth in the ranking behind England who are at third and the gap between third and fourth is quite narrow and Italians are looking to capitalize from that situation.
The Premier League has never been outside that elite band, but now alarmingly for its clubs, there has been a dramatic slump from the top of the ranking between 2008 to 2013 and its current precarious position. Their fourth place is somewhat in doubt as it seems right now Italians are on their way to clinch that spot which could see Premier League down to three clubs in the Champions League.
The idea of Meritocracy in the European football might be back into the discussion. Scaling back the Premier League's involvement in the Champions League is a reality that may have to be confronted soon.
England goes in to the season with an inexperienced clubs with West Ham, Southampton and Leicester making rare foreys beyond familier shores. With Serie A right behind their tails in the rankings, there is no margin for error and each point could be make or break.
If the Premier League will drop their fourth place then there will be an intense battle between clubs to invest heavily and make their squad more competitive to qualify for the Champions league.
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