The battle for Serie A’s European spots centers on the fight for sixth and seventh place, which feed into the UEFA Conference League depending on Coppa Italia outcomes and coefficient adjustments. Last season’s dramatic finale saw Atalanta secure the direct berth after finishing seventh, while promoted sides like Como exceeded expectations with a top-four finish that reshuffled the mid-table hierarchy. Early 2026-27 fixtures, squad reinforcements, and fixture congestion from domestic cups will quickly separate contenders such as Bologna, Fiorentina, and Lazio from the pack. Home/away form, key injuries to midfield anchors, and managerial continuity remain decisive, as historical patterns show tight points gaps often decide the final Conference League participant by May.