Benfica and Juventus shape tough Europa League groups for NEC and AZ

In the bustling conference hall of Frankfurt on Friday afternoon, NEC and AZ learned the exact composition of their Europa League groups, confirming a relatively favourable draw for the Nijmegenaren and Alkmaarders as the clubs prepared for the season’s continental campaign.

The draw, conducted in Frankfurt, produced what the clubs described as relatively favourable pairings. Both the Nijmegenaren and the Alkmaarders saw their pots translate into manageable group fixtures. De loting left no mystery about the path ahead.

Benfica and Juventus loom large

Both NEC, based in Nijmegen, and AZ, playing home matches in Lissabon, will face the heavyweight SL Benfica. A further heavyweight, Juventus, was also linked to each club – NEC would meet them in Turijn, while AZ could host them in Alkmaar. The fixture pits brothers Teun and Peer Koopmeiners against each other at the AFAS Stadion.

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AZ's group opponents revealed

AZ’s group features Dinamo Zagreb at home and Sparta Prague away. Sturm Graz will host the Dutch side, while Sunderland travels to the Netherlands. Hapoel Be’er Sheva welcomes AZ at home and the final away tie is against Ararat Armenia.

NEC’s schedule includes away trips to Benfica and Juventus, as well as a visit to Dinamo Zagreb. Home fixtures see Stade Rennes and Omonia Nicosia host the club, while away matches against Celje, Ararat Armenia and Levski Sofia round out the group. The list underscores the breadth of opponents from across Europe.

Considering NEC entered the draw in pot 4 and AZ in pot 1, the overall assessment favours the Nijmegen club. The relative ease of NEC’s group, despite the presence of giants, suggests a more advantageous path than AZ’s.