Dutch teams struggle in Europe in doubt as Feyenoord, Vitesse lose

This week’s losses in the Champions League and Europa League by Feyenoord and Vitesse have made it more unlikely that the Dutch league winner will automatically qualify for European competition in the 2019/20 season, website Nu.nl said on Friday.

The losses mean the Netherlands has fallen to 12th place in the Uefa ranking which is based on club results in Europe in the previous five seasons. That ranking determines how many clubs get a ticket to European competition and at what stage of the tournament they join in.

Austria is now ahead of the Netherlands in the ranking in 11th place, which gives the national league winner automatic entry to the Champions League. This means the Dutch Eredivise winner is likely to have to play in one of more qualification rounds to reach the flagship competition in the 2019.

Last year, the Netherlands ended the ranking in 13th place, which means the Dutch league winner this season will also have to play qualification rounds for next year’s competition.

Neither Ajax or PSV made it into Europe this year and both Vitesse (as cup winner in the Europa League) and Feyenoord as Eredivisie winner have failed to score a point in Europe.

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