The Netherlands is still not rid of Portugal in the coefficient ranking. The Eredivisionists had a bad fourth European round, in which only PSV took the full loot. Portugal narrowed the gap a little bit and also has another trump card in their hands: the bonus points that are ready at the end of the group stage. Portugal will probably bring in much more than the Netherlands and can come back into the fray.
PSV achieved two club points in the Europa League with the victory over FC Zurich (5-0), but before that they saw how Feyenoord’s draw against FC Midtjylland (2-2) yielded only one club point. Ajax once again proved unable to compete against Napoli (4-2), while AZ surprisingly lost to Apollon (1-0) in the Conference League. Three club points are shared for the Netherlands by five original European participants: 0.6 additional points.
The coefficient ranking as of 06-10-2022
| LAND | SCORE 22/23 | RANKING | ACTIVE TEAMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. England | 9,428 (+2,571) | 95,998 | 7/7 |
| 2. Spain | 8,714 (+2,000) | 85,141 | 7/7 |
| 3. Germany | 7,875 (+1,750) | 73,231 | 8/8 |
| 4. Italy | 5,785 (+1,715) | 67,069 | 7/7 |
| 5. France | 6,083 (+0,833) | 54,664 | 6/6 |
| 6. Netherlands | 6,100 (+0,600) | 52,500 | 4/5 |
| 7. Portugal | 6,500 (+0,667) | 50,216 | 4/6 |
The Portuguese clubs had a week with varying degrees of success. In the Champions League, FC Porto won a win against Bayer Leverkusen (3-0) and Benfica took a point at Paris Saint-Germain (1-1). Sporting Portugal’s surprising defeat against Olympique Marseille (0-2) was a disappointment for the Portuguese, as was Sporting Braga’s result in the Europa League a day later. The sub-topper gave away a 1-3 lead against Union Sint-Gillis (3-3 score). In total, Portugal thus gains four club points, which are shared by six European participants: 0.667 points.
Bonus points
The Netherlands will look forward to the end of the group stage of the Champions League with fear and trembling. Every club that hibernates in the Billionaires ball gets five club points in one fell swoop. Ajax is almost eliminated and can almost forget the bonus, but for Portugal a cartload of points beckons: Benfica is almost certain of the next round in Group H (with PSG and Juventus), while FC Porto with a second place in Group B also has good papers. Sporting is third in Group D, with as many points as number two Marseille. Sporting is therefore absolutely not without a chance to survive in the Champions League. In the Europa League, the group winner receives five bonus club points, the runner-up receives two. Braga is second in Group D and could therefore easily add two or even four points to the Portuguese total.
The Netherlands is in a less good position in terms of bonus points to be earned. PSV are in pretty good shape with a second place in Group F behind Arsenal. In the group of Feyenoord everything is really open: all four clubs are on five points. Despite the defeat to Apollon, AZ remains at the top of Group E of the Conference League and could earn two bonus club points in that place. If the Alkmaarders continue as runners-up, one club point can be credited.
At the moment, the Netherlands has a lead of just over two points over the Portuguese, but the Eredivisionists will have to pull out all the stops to maintain place six in the ranking. That position is good for two tickets for the Champions League group stage in the 2024/25 season at the end of the season.
Which place is good for which tickets?
| PLACE | CL-TICKETS | EL-TICKETS | ECL-TICKETS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 t/m 4 | 4 direct | 2 direct | 1 preliminary round |
| 5 | 2 direct, 1 preliminary round | 2 direct | 1 preliminary round |
| 6 | 2 direct, 1 preliminary round | 1 direct | 2 preliminary round |
| 7 t/m 10 | 1 direct, 1 preliminary round | 1 preliminary round | 2 preliminary round |
| 11 t/m 15 | 2 preliminary round | 1 preliminary round | 2 preliminary round |
| 16 t/m 50 | 1 preliminary round | 0 | 3 preliminary round |
| 51 t/m 55 | 1 preliminary round | 0 | 2 preliminary round |
