The league phase draws for European football have set up demanding schedules for Dutch clubs in both the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, with Eredivisie participants learning their complete fixture paths.
In the Europa League, both NEC and AZ face identical heavyweight opponents from Italy and Portugal, drawing both Juventus and Benfica in the newly formatted league stage. According to reports from Dutch public broadcaster NOS, both Eredivisie sides will contest eight matches each under the single-league-table format before the knockout phases commence.
AZ and NEC Europa League Opponents Detailed
AZ’s campaign brings a high-profile family fixture alongside traditional European trips. AZ will host Juventus, Dinamo Zagreb, and Sturm Graz at the AFAS Stadion, while traveling away to face Benfica, Sparta Praag, Sunderland, Hapoel Beer-Heva, and Ararat. The matchup against Juventus carries added personal significance as AZ midfielder Peer Koopmeiners is set to face his brother Teun, who plays for the Italian giants.
NEC, entering the competition after missing out in the Champions League play-offs, face their own daunting test in Europe’s secondary club tournament. NEC’s home slate features Benfica, Stade Rennais, Omonia Nicosia, and Levski Sofia. Their away fixtures take them up against Juventus, Dinamo Zagreb, Celje, and Ararat.
Ajax and FC Twente Conference League Paths
While NEC and AZ map out their Europa League autumns, Ajax and FC Twente discovered their opponents for the UEFA Conference League. Ajax secured a notable tie against Italian side Atalanta, while FC Twente were paired with German Bundesliga club Freiburg.
Exact matchdays and kickoff times for the league phases across both competitions will be confirmed and released by governing bodies at a later date.
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