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Germany’s Bundesliga has secured an additional place in next season’s revamped Champions League following Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their semifinal clash Wednesday.
The 2024-25 tournament is expanding to 36 teams, and UEFA has allocated an extra place each to the two leagues with the best overall performance in European competitions this season.
Italy’s Serie A built an insurmountable coefficient advantage and sealed one of the extra spots last month. Meanwhile, the Bundesliga has now beat out England’s Premier League, the other primary contender, for the final berth, as outlined by Dale Johnson of ESPN.
The Premier League looked to be in a strong position going into the quarterfinals of this season’s European competitions. However, wins over English opposition for Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, who knocked out Arsenal and West Ham United, respectively, helped turn the tide.
Ironically, Dortmund themselves are the biggest beneficiaries, as they can finish no lower than fifth in the Bundesliga with three games remaining; Edin Terzic’s side is five points back of fourth-placed RB Leipzig, but 12 points up on Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Bundesliga could have six teams in next season’s Champions League if Dortmund go on to win this year’s tournament and also finish fifth in the domestic table.
