Overview
- The Champions League draw in Monaco on Thursday placed Feyenoord with Inter, Barcelona, Porto, Real Betis, Galatasaray, Viking FK, Como and RB Leipzig and gave PSV a group that includes Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and VfB Stuttgart.
- Ajax reached the Conference League competitive phase by beating FC Sion 5-3, with Tolu Arokodare scoring twice, and FC Twente advanced after a late Max Bruns equaliser and a Wout Weghorst winner in extra time in Baku.
- Reports say Barcelona asked about Twente left‑back Ruud Nijstad and Twente’s technical director Erik ten Hag refused the approach, prompting coach John van den Brom to complain that matchday transfer speculation can unsettle the 18‑year‑old.
- Key near‑term dates have been set: the Conference League competitive‑phase draw was scheduled for 28 August, Champions League group matches begin on 8–10 September, and Conference League group play starts on 15 October.
- UEFA’s 36‑club single‑league format means each club plays eight different opponents and pot placement no longer guarantees an easier path, a change that affects Dutch clubs’ sporting planning and European revenue prospects.