AC Milan and Juventus face a major shock after 34 years

This marks the first occasion since UEFA rebranded the European Cup as the Champions League for the 1992/93 season that neither AC Milan nor Juventus will appear in the tournament together.

Italian football has witnessed one of its biggest historical shocks as AC Milan and Juventus both missed out on securing a spot for the UEFA Champions League 2026/27. It is the first time since UEFA changed the name of the European Cup to the Champions League in the 1992/93 season that both of Serie A's greatest giants are absent from the same campaign.

A milestone once considered "unthinkable" has come to pass. Milan's tragedy occurred right in the final round of the 2025/26 Serie A season. In a decisive match at their home ground, San Siro, "I Rossoneri" unexpectedly lost 1-2 to Cagliari. This defeat left Milan finishing the season in fifth place with 70 points, exactly one point behind fourth-placed Calcio Como.

Meanwhile, Juventus fared even worse. "The Old Lady" was held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by city rivals Torino, thus ending the season with 69 points and finishing sixth in the standings, just behind Milan.

Apart from Inter Milan and Napoli, the remaining two Champions League 2026/27 berths went to AS Roma and the season's biggest surprise, Calcio Como. The emergence of "I Lariani" in Europe's most prestigious club competition is seen as a symbol of the powerful power shift taking place in Serie A. While new forces have risen strongly, Juventus and Milan have simultaneously suffered an incredible decline.

Over the past 34 years, the Champions League has almost always been associated with at least one of the names Juventus or AC Milan. Despite experiencing various ups and downs, these two clubs have consistently represented the status and pride of Italian football on the European stage. Now, that historical streak has officially come to an end.

Beyond the shock to their image, missing out on the Champions League could bring a series of dangers for both clubs. From financial losses and the risk of losing star players to the pressure for a complete overhaul, both Juventus and "I Rossoneri" are facing a turbulent summer.

Especially for "The Old Lady," this is yet another disappointing season continuing a long period of instability in recent years. Meanwhile, the San Siro side, despite having some stable moments during crucial phases, suffered at the decisive moment.

The 2026/27 Champions League will take place without Juventus or AC Milan—a scenario that may seem unbelievable to many European football fans. After more than three decades of dominance and near-constant presence on Europe's biggest stage, these two Serie A icons are now forced to watch the continent's most prestigious competition from afar.