A Historic Absence for Italian Football

With a combined record of 20 finals and nine titles in the European Cup and Champions League, AC Milan and Juventus stand as titans in the history of European club football. Yet, the conclusion of the 2025/26 Serie A campaign has delivered a shock that feels unprecedented in the modern era: neither Italian giant will feature in next season's Champions League.

For the first time since the competition was rebranded from the European Cup to the Champions League during the 1992/93 season, the participants will not include at least one of these two historic clubs. Both sides finished outside the top four in Serie A, meaning their European campaign next term will begin in the Europa League rather than the premier competition.

Last Seen in the 1990s

The last occasion both Milan and Juventus were absent from the elite European tournament was the 1991/92 season. That absence was driven by vastly different circumstances. During the 1990/91 Serie A campaign, Juventus finished a dismal seventh, while Milan secured second place.

However, Milan was barred from European competition following the Heysel Stadium disaster and subsequent controversy. They refused to complete their European Cup quarter-final second leg against Marseille in the spring of 1991. This led to a suspension that kept them out of European football, creating a rare dual absence for Italy's most decorated clubs.

Europa League Awaits

Now, decades later, the situation has reversed in nature but not in outcome for the top flight. The decline in dominance for the traditional northern Italian powers reflects a shifting landscape in Serie A, where financial parity and competitive depth have allowed other clubs to break the stranglehold of the historic giants.

For fans of the "Rossoneri" and the "Bianconeri," the Europa League represents a step down from their usual standards. Historically, both clubs have treated the Champions League as a non-negotiable target, with the Europa League often viewed as a consolation prize. This season's double absence marks a symbolic turning point, highlighting the increased competitiveness of Italian football and the fragility of even the most storied legacies.