The Netherlands again lost some ground in the coefficient ranking this week compared to its main competitor Portugal. Despite two sensitive blows, however, the damage was limited. In the coming months, hopes are pinned on Feyenoord and AZ, although there is no reason to panic.
Points Netherlands
On Thursday evening, the Netherlands lost two trump cards that had to help defend their lead over Portugal. The European adventure ended for PSV, despite the fact that the diptych with Sevilla ended with a 2-0 win. With this, the people of Eindhoven did good business in the national interest. The victory resulted in 0.400 points for the coefficient ranking. Ajax left the European stage after a 3-1 defeat to visit Union Berlin. As a result, both teams missed out on the bonus points that are awarded for surviving the play-off round.
Feyenoord and AZ did not play this European intermediate round. They became group winners in the European and Conference League respectively, which means they are assured of a place in the eighth finals of the European tournaments. The fate of the Netherlands will therefore partly lie in the hands of the people of Rotterdam and Alkmaar in the coming months.
Points Portugal
Portugal started the week on Wednesday evening with a downer: FC Porto suffered a visit to Inter, took no points for the coefficient ranking and has to fear elimination in the Champions League. SC Braga also fell on Thursday evening after a 3-2 defeat at Fiorentina in the Conference League intermediate round. Thanks to Sporting Portugal, the Southern Europeans still caught up with the Netherlands. The club of Jeremiah St. Juste defeated FC Midtjylland 0-4 and reached the round of 16 of the Europa League. That earned 0.500 points: 0.333 for the win, 0.167 as a bonus for reaching the next round.
Current state
Despite the painful results of Dutch football this week, it will be a tough job for Portugal to close the gap with the Netherlands in the coming months. Just like last week, the damage was limited for the Netherlands, which is in sixth place and thus virtually holds two Champions League tickets for the 2024/25 season.
The Netherlands has now collected 57,300 points, Portugal has a score of 54,716. The difference between the two competitors is therefore now 2,584 points. The Netherlands does not seem to have to focus on fifth place. France has 2,697 points more and seems out of sight.
5. France 59,997
6. Netherlands 57,300
7. Portugal 54,716
Europa League results
Conference League results
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