UCL of world importance: “The Netherlands must fervently hope for…
Freek Jansen
Photo: © Pro Shots
The Netherlands competes with Portugal for sixth place in the UEFA coefficient list. With that place, the Netherlands will get an extra place in European tournaments, Freek Jansen also knows.
“Where Portugal fears Gil Vicente and Vitória Guimarães, the Netherlands must hope for AZ and Twente. Both clubs can play a crucial role in the coefficient battle. In addition to the fact that Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord have to take their points, clubs that start are seen to contribute less also important for the Netherlands,” says Jansen at Voetbal International.
FC Twente acted its duty this week. “The Tukkers did good business in Serbia on Thursday (1-3) and if nothing crazy happens, they will deal with Cukaricki next week. After that, however, a very tough diptych against Fiorentina, the number seven of last season in the Serie A,” says hello, j.
“To understand the importance of clubs like AZ and Twente in Europe, we take a look at last season. The ‘problem’ that, for example, the play-off winner of the Eredivisie was eliminated early in the preliminary round of the Europa League is a thing of the past with the arrival of the Conference League. It is precisely there that Dutch clubs can take important points for the efficiency ranking,” he says.
Jansen explains: “If, for example, Vitesse had fallen in the preliminary round of the Conference League last season, it could have listed 2.8 points on the coefficient ranking. In that case, Portugal had not occupied the second place at the moment. Losing a Conference League participant early can therefore have major consequences. It will be for AZ and FC Twente for all coefficient lovers in the coming weeks.”