Thanks to AZ’s 4-0 victory over Gil Vicente, the Netherlands has handed out a huge coefficient hit to pursuer Portugal. Due to the previous elimination of Vitória Guimarães in the Conference League, Portugal only has five teams left in Europe and after the defeat in Alkmaar, Gil Vicente also seems to be dropping out. Because PSV eliminated AS Monaco last week and OGC Nice lost 1-0 to Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, the Netherlands is creeping even closer to France. They occupy fifth place in the coefficient ranking, which entitles them to two direct Champions League participants.
The strong victory with which participation in the Conference League is almost certain for the Alkmaarders, gives Dutch football a huge boost. Pursuer and major competitor Portugal will most likely lose another participant. PSV’s 2-2 draw against Rangers, AZ’s victory and FC Twente’s 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina means that the Netherlands gets one and a half points for the ranking. However, this still has to be shared by five participants, so our country can add 0.3 points. Benfica won 0-2 against Dinamo Kiev on Wednesday and added 0.167 points after the same calculation.
With the elimination of Vitória Guimarães, and with Gil Vicente on the edge, Portugal will soon have only four clubs active in Europe, while the points obtained must be divided by six. The Netherlands still has a view on five participants, hoping that FC Twente will make it. If not, the points of the four active clubs must be divided by five.
The gap with number five France is currently 1.197 points. But if OGC Nice disappears, the Netherlands can catch up further. This season, our country occupies sixth place in the coefficient ranking in the 2018-2023 cycle. If the Netherlands retains this place, the number two of the 2023/24 Eredivisie season will be immediately placed for the group stage of the Champions League.