UEFA RANKING: Portugal wins points from the Netherlands
Portugal maintains sixth place in the current UEFA Ranking and won points from the Netherlands, avid pursuers, in the games played in this round of countries.
Sporting failed to score after the defeat against Man City for the Champions League, while Benfica secured a point for equality against Ajax.
In the Europa League, FC Porto secured four points (two for the victory against Lazio at Dragão, one for the draw in Italy and one bonus for qualifying for the round of 16) and Sp. Braga accumulated three, thanks to the triumph against Sheriff (after the defeat away from home) and the qualification for the «eighth» of the competition.
In total, Portugal accumulated eight points, against five of the Netherlands in this round.
The bonuses from Sp. Braga and FC Porto allow Portugal to have an advantage over the Netherlands, but the second leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League is still missing, with Man. Cidade-Sporting and above all Ajax-Benfica, who it’s a direct confrontation.
Ajax-Benfica will dictate bonuses for those who reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League and the elimination of a team from the other country. The impact is already significant that the points divided by the number of equipment that started the season.
Portugal started the season with six representatives. Two have already been eliminated, Santa Clara and Paços de Ferreira, so the rest is probably theirs by six. The Netherlands, meanwhile, started a season with five and continue with five, one in the Champions League and four in the Conference League.
The eight rounds, against Portugal’s only five points. Three from PSV Eindhoven, who guaranteed a victory and a draw in the Conference League, two from Vitesse (defeat and victory in the Conference League) and Ajax’s point for the draw at Luz. do not translate into bonuses for teams.