Serie A clubs’ Champions League Round of 16 hopes almost over already

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Serie A clubs have had a struggling start to the 2026-27 Champions League season, and hopes of having at least one Italian representative in the Round of 16 are already considerably reduced.

Inter, Napoli, Como and Roma have accumulated only four points in their first two Champions League rounds.

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 13: Nicolo Tresoldi of Club Brugge KV scores his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Club Brugge KV at Stadio San Siro on October 13, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Como have grabbed three points, Roma have one, while Inter and Napoli still have none.

As Gazzetta dello Sport highlights, over the last two Champions League editions, 16 points were always needed to finish in the top eight and qualify directly for the Round of 16.

With only 18 points left before the end of the league phase, the chances of at least one Italian club finishing in the top eight and qualifying for the Round of 16 are already reduced.

ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 14: Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid scores his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between AS Roma and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio Olimpico on October 14, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid scores his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between AS Roma and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio Olimpico on October 14, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

The other bad news is that, in the past two seasons, only two teams have qualified for the knock-out play-off, finishing from 9th to 24th, after losing the opening two games: Milan in 2024-25 and Benfica in 2025-26.

A new Champions League round is just around the corner. Napoli and Roma will host Bodo/Glimt and Slovan Bratislava, respectively, on Tuesday.

VILLARREAL, SPAIN - OCTOBER 13: Georges Mikautadze of Villarreal CF is challenged by Billy Gilmour and Benoit Badiashile of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Villarreal CF and SSC Napoli at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 13, 2026 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – OCTOBER 13: Georges Mikautadze of Villarreal CF is challenged by Billy Gilmour and Benoit Badiashile of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between Villarreal CF and SSC Napoli at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 13, 2026 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Como, meanwhile, will host Manchester United on Wednesday, while Inter will host Shakhtar Donetsk.

Remaining Champions League fixtures for Serie A clubs

Inter

Shakhtar H

Feyenoord A

Stuttgart H

B. Dortmund A

Liverpool H

Slovan Bratislava A

Napoli

Bodo/Glimt H

Port A

Manchester City A

Club Brugge H

Sabah A

Viking H

Roma

Slovan Bratislava H

Man United A

PSG A

Sporting CP H

AEK Athens A

Lille H

As

Man Utd H

Lens A

AEK Athens H

Real Betis A

PSG H

Barcelona A

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