Europa League: A Financial and Competitive Burden for Milan and Juventus, Warns GdS

FolioPitch.com – 20 July 2026 | The GdS Europa League risks becoming a burden for Milan and Juventus, as highlighted by Gazzetta dello Sport in a detailed analysis. Both Italian giants will compete in the second-tier European competition this season, a far cry from the Champions League they are accustomed to. The stark contrast in financial rewards and the demanding schedule of Thursday-Sunday games pose significant challenges that could derail their domestic ambitions.

The GdS Europa League risks becoming a burden for Milan and Juventus not only financially but also competitively. According to Gazzetta, qualification for the Europa League grants a mere €4.31 million, compared to €18.6 million for the Champions League. Per victory, teams earn €450,000 in the Europa League versus €2.1 million in the elite competition. Even draws are less rewarding: €150,000 against €700,000. The gap widens in the knockout stages: reaching the final from the round of 16 yields €15.4 million in the Europa League, plus an additional €6 million for winning the tournament, totaling €25 million. In contrast, the Champions League offers €57 million plus €6.5 million for the winner. These figures exclude market pool and historical ranking bonuses, but the trend is clear. For context, PSG earned €142 million for winning the 2025-26 Champions League.

Historical data further underscores the burden. Since the UEFA Cup rebranding in 2009-10, Italian teams have participated in the Europa League 43 times (excluding those entering from the Champions League). Only a handful have finished in the top four of Serie A while balancing Thursday fixtures: Roma (second in 2009-10 and 2016-17), Napoli (second in 2015-16 and third in 2021-22), Milan (second in 2020-21), Udinese (third in 2011-12), and Lazio (fourth in 2011-12). Atalanta won the Europa League in 2023-24 and finished fourth in Serie A. However, in 32 other cases, teams finished fifth or lower, missing Champions League qualification. This pattern serves as a warning: the GdS Europa League risks becoming a burden for Milan and Juventus if they cannot manage squad rotation effectively.

The path to Champions League qualification via winning the Europa League is equally daunting. Potential opponents include Champions League play-off losers, English sides like Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Sunderland, Spanish clubs Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo, German teams Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen, French sides Marseille and Rennes, and Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. For Milan and Juventus, navigating this field while maintaining domestic form requires a deep, well-equipped squad—a luxury neither club fully possesses given financial constraints.

In conclusion, the GdS Europa League risks becoming a burden for Milan and Juventus, threatening their Scudetto hopes and financial stability. The tournament’s lower revenue and grueling schedule demand careful planning and investment. Without significant reinforcement, both clubs may struggle to avoid the pitfalls that have plagued many Italian teams before them.