The Bundesliga will have three automatic spots in the money-spinning competition as well as one play-off spot, while Serie A will only have a maximum of three Champions League places, including one play-off spot. Although Inter Milan won last season’s Champions League, beating Bayern Munich in the final, German sides have now moved ahead in the UEFA rankings.
German clubs have increased their total points tally in UEFA’s five-year coefficients to 68,103, opening up an 8,122-point lead over Italy's Serie A (59,981).
“Italy is no longer able to take over third spot this season,” the DFL said in a statement. “The new ranking gives Bundesliga teams three starting spots in the group stage and a fourth in the play-off games of the competition.”
Top-ranking England and second-placed Spain are the other two countries that will be afforded a maximum of four Champions League places in 2012-13. Italy has joined France and Portugal with a maximum of three Champions League spots.
