Well, that was certainly disappointing. Serie A won’t have any representatives within the Champions League Quarter Finals, as all Italian teams have been knocked out from the competition. Whilst Inter’s European campaign had already reached an anti-climatic ending back in December, Juventus, Atalanta and Lazio have followed suit by getting eliminated from the round of 16.
Even though the outcome can be described as a let-down, some were a little better than others, so let’s rank the CL campaigns of all Italian sides from worst to best.
4 – Inter
The most obvious choice on the list. Inter are ranked fourth – which is the exact same position they occupied within Group B.
Although that Champions League group was a relatively tough one, but the Nerazzurri were expected to win more than a single match.
Nonetheless, they were beaten twice by Real Madrid, and failed to score a single goal against Shakhtar Donetsk on two occasions – who in turn lost their encounters against Monchengladbach 10-0 on aggregate!
3 – Lazio
After a 13-years hiatus, Lazio’s Champions League comeback wasn’t a complete failure. In fact, reaching the round of 16 means that the club accomplished its initial goal.
The Biancocelesti took advantage of being pitted within a relatively weak group, as they advanced to the second round after being placed second behind Borussia Dortmund, and warding off Club Brugge who were on their trail.
However, the Italians went out of luck when they were thrown against Bayern Munich in the round of 16, and they naturally ended up being dismantled by the reigning European champions in a 6-1 result on aggregate.
2 – Juventus
Perhaps the most disappointing Champions League campaign based on the high expectations, but it must be remembered that Juventus topped their group after beating Barcelona 3-0 at the Camp Nou.
Unfortunately for the Bianconeri fans, that is where the good results ended, as Andrea Pirlo’s men failed to capitalize on a relatively easy draw against Porto in the round of 16.
A series of shocking mistakes at the back, coupled with poor performances from some of their star men eventually led to a dramatic elimination in extra-time after a 4-4 result on aggregate.
1 – Atalanta
Although Atalanta didn’t finish on top of their Champions League group like Juventus, it must be said that La Dea were thrown into a tough one which included Liverpool and Ajax.
Nevertheless, the Italians beat the odds to qualify thanks to a crucial victory in Amsterdam, having previously avenged their embarrassing 5-0 home defeat at the hands of the Reds, with a historic 3-0 win at Anfield road.
The Orobici were eventually eliminated by Real Madrid in the round of 16 after a 4-1 defeat on aggregate, but the result could have been worse considering the fact that they had to play the majority of the first leg with a man down.