Through their performances on the European scene, Portuguese clubs have managed to reduce the gap on the Netherlands in the UEFA rankings.
It was ultimately a very good week for the Portuguese clubs on the European scene. If everything had started rather badly with a heavy defeat for Sporting on home soil against Arsenal, as part of the fifth day of the Nations League (1-5), the other Portuguese teams were able to rectify the situation.
A good week for Portugal
Indeed, the Portuguese were able to benefit from the rather convincing performances of their representatives. In the Champions League, SL Benfica emerged victorious from their duel against AS Monaco in the Principality (2-3). An important victory for the Eagles in their race to qualify for the rest of the competition, but also for all Portuguese clubs, who thus manage to advance in the UEFA ranking.
Especially since this Thursday, the clubs involved in European competitions performed quite well. This is particularly the case for SC Braga, who returned to victory in the best possible way with a card inflicted on Hoffenheim in the Europa League (3-0). For its part, Vitoria SC was held back in Astana (1-1), but still brought back a point, like FC Porto, held in check by Anderlecht (2-2).
With two wins, two draws and one defeat, the Portuguese clubs earned no less than 6 points over the week, with a view to the UEFA ranking. Six points that must be divided by five, i.e. the number of Portuguese teams involved in European competitions at the start of the season, to obtain a real advance of 1,200 in the ranking.
A rather convincing total, to which is added a bonus obtained by Vitoria SC this Thursday. By bringing back a draw from Astana, the Guimarães-based team validated its place among the top 22 in the Conference League standings at the end of this phase. Thus, Portugal actually advanced by 1,275 points over the week.
Portugal catches up with the Netherlands
For their part, the Dutch clubs, sixth in the ranking, experienced significantly less success. While PSV won the Champions League, Twente and Ajax were defeated, while AZ and Feyenoord were both held to a draw. Thus, the Dutch nation collects 4 points over the week, which must be divided by 6, i.e. the number of Eredivisie teams involved in European competitions at the start of the season, to obtain a real advance of 0.667 points over the week. .
Under these conditions, the gap between the two nations has narrowed. After this European week, the Portuguese nation has no less than 56,416 points, while the Netherlands has a total of 59,233 units. If the Dutch maintain their sixth place to the detriment of Portugal, still seventh, only 2,817 points separate the two nations at present. The dynamic is therefore clearly in favor of the Portuguese, who are currently experiencing the second best progress in the current season, behind England. It remains to be seen whether this will last.
The UEFA coefficient ranking
1 – England – 96,446 points
2 – Italy – 85,481 points
3 – Spain – 79,561 points
4 – Germany – 77.285 points
5 – France – 63,807 points
6 – Pays-Bas – 59,233 points
7 – Portugal – 56,416 points
8 – Belgium – 49,800 points
Photo credit: Octavio Passos/Getty Images
Alexandre Ribeiro launched the Trivela.fr site in 2019 and today runs it alongside his colleagues. Passionate about Portuguese football as a whole, and in particular the Portuguese national team, it is with all his energy and involvement that he brings this media to life on a daily basis.
