The Netherlands has had a dramatic round of play when it comes to the coefficient rankings. The Eredivisie lost a European participant with AZ, while France and Portugal are wintering in one of the tournaments with all group stage clubs. The Netherlands (number 6) can forget about keeping up with France (5) in the rankings, but more importantly: Portugal (7) is creeping a lot closer.

PSV secured hibernation in the Champions League two weeks ago and thus collected five very welcome bonus club points. The Eindhoven team added a point this week with a draw against Arsenal (1-1).

The Netherlands did not score any points through Feyenoord, which lost to Celtic (2-1) in the Champions League. The Rotterdam team can still make an important contribution in terms of coefficients with a follow-up in the Europa League.

It is important for the Netherlands that Ajax secured a transition to the Conference League with a victory over AEK Athens (3-1) in the Europa League. Ajax's third place in its Europa League group does not earn bonus points, but two club points are awarded for the victory over AEK.

AZ could not hold on in the Conference League against Legia Warsaw (2-0). The Alkmaarders are therefore eliminated in Europe. It is a huge loss for the Netherlands, especially because the Conference League has proven to be very lucrative in terms of coefficients in recent years.

France

France is experiencing an unprecedentedly successful European season and is wintering with all its six participants in one of the three tournaments. This means that the Ligue 1 clubs will undoubtedly end up with the Netherlands after the winter break, which only has three of the five participants left.

Paris Saint-Germain needed just one point against Borussia Dortmund (1-1) to survive the Champions League group, while RC Lens secured a transition to the Europa League against Sevilla (2-1 win).

France also scores a truckload of points in the Conference League. Lille OSC won against Klaksvík (1-0) and became the undefeated winner of Group A. The only blemish on the European evening for France was Stade Rennes' defeat against Villarreal (2-3). Rennes will therefore not continue as group winners, but as runners-up in the Europa League.

Portugal

FC Porto won spectacularly against Shakhtar Donetsk (5-3) and was already assured of wintering in the Champions League. Benfica dangled on the brink of European elimination, but secured a transition from the billion-dollar ball to the Europa League with a victory over Red Bull Salzburg (1-3).

Sporting Braga lost to Napoli (2-0), but also finished third in its Champions League group. Sporting Portugal was already certain of wintering in the Europa League and added two club points and extra impetus with a victory over Sturm Graz (3-0).

The final conclusion for calendar year 2023

The Netherlands seemed to be keeping up well with direct competitor France this season, but now has to let the Ligue 1 clubs go in the rankings. The Eredivisie players must focus on sixth place for the time being. Keeping that place is crucial, because it entitles you to two group stage tickets for the Champions League.

This week, the Netherlands only achieved 0.6 points, while Portugal added 2.2. The lead over the Portuguese is still very large (6.8 points) for the Eredivisie players, which means that sixth place is probably no longer threatened this season. However, Portugal remains a very formidable competitor in the long term.

Coefficient ranking as of December 15

1. England – 100,553 (+4.125 this round)
2. Spain – 86,114 (+1,875)
3. Italy – 83,284 (+3,715)
4. Germany – 80,909 (+2,285)
5. France – 62,164 (+2,500)
6. Netherlands – 59,900 (+0.600)
7. Portugal – 53,149 (+2,166)
8. Belgium – 46,000 (+3,000)

Which place is good for which tickets?

Places 1 to 4: 4 Champions League (direct), 2 Europa League (direct), 1 Conference League (preliminary round)

Place 5: 3 Champions League (direct), 1 Champions League (preliminary round), 2 Europa League (direct), 1 Conference League (preliminary round)

Place 6: 2 Champions League (direct), 1 Champions League (preliminary round), 1 Europa League (direct), 2 Conference League (preliminary round)

Place 7 to 10: 1 Champions League (direct), 1 Champions League (preliminary round), 1 Europa League (preliminary round), 2 Conference League (preliminary round)

Place 11 to 15: 2 Champions League (preliminary round), 1 Europa League (preliminary round), 2 Conference League (preliminary round)

Place 16 to 50: 1 Champions League (preliminary round), 0 Europa League, 3 Conference League (preliminary round)

Place 51 to 55: 1 Champions League (preliminary round), 0 Europa League, 2 Conference League (preliminary round)

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