Juventus at risk of missing out on International Competitions

After receiving a 15-point reduction from the FIGC (the Italian soccer federation). Juventus finds themselves back in the middle of the Serie A table.

The 15-point deduction drops Juventus from 3rd in the table down to 10th.

Sitting at 10th in the Serie A table with 22 points now puts the Bianconeri squad at risk to miss international cup competitions. Juventus has not placed outside the top 4 since the 2010-2011 season. That was also the last time they had failed to qualify for international play.

In the last two seasons, the team has squeezed into Champions League play by placing 4th domestically. Another top 4 finish looked very likely before this deduction. Now they will be lucky if they can make it into a Europa League placement.

A top 6 finish will solidify qualification for international cup play.

Juventus now find themselves 12 points out of a top 6 placement. Lazio, Atalanta, and Roma are tied for 4th through 6th with 34 points.

This gap will be a challenge for Juventus to crawl their way out of. Although a challenge, the gap will not be impossible to close with half the season left to play. An almost perfect second half will be needed to move into a qualifying position.

The Coppa Italia can get them into international play.

The winner of the Coppa Italia automatically qualifies for the Europa League. Juventus play Lazio in the quarterfinals on February 2nd. This is Juventus’ best chance at qualifying and hopes to make a run.

If a top 6 team wins the Coppa Italia, then that berth goes to the 6th team. This would mean the 7th team will qualify for the Europa Conference League. The newly created Europa Conference League is not where Juventus fans expect or want to be, but it may be the best bet at international play next season (outside of winning the Coppa Italia).

Juventus find themselves only 3 points outside of 7th place, making a 7th-place finish very possible. Four of the current top 6 teams are still alive in the Coppa Italia, leaving that as their strongest option.

Juventus can still appeal the decision.

If they decide to appeal and win, that will significantly raise their chances of international play depending on the outcome. But as of now, things look grim for the Bianconeri.