Napoli’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were frustrated again on Saturday when they lost 1-0 in Serie A to struggling Empoli. Alberto Seri scored the only goal of the game just four minutes into the game, heading in an uncontested header. Post later. It was his first top-flight goal in three years. Empoli could have scored a second goal late in the opening period, but Nicolo Cambiagi’s powerful shot hit the post.

As a result, defending champions Napoli are eighth, six points behind Roma, who currently occupy the fifth and final spot to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Empoli moved up to 15th in the table, four points above the relegation zone.

Italy were awarded five places in the elite club competition this week, instead of four, after their teams finished in the top two spots on UEFA’s coefficient table.

Roma and Atalanta both reached the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday, while Fiorentina reached the Europa League semi-finals.

This means Italy has a coefficient of 19.428 points, ahead of Germany (17.928 points) and England (17.375 points), and will receive one of the two additional qualifying spots.

Starting from next season, there will be 36 teams in the Champions League group stage, 4 more teams than this season.

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