The draws for the play-off round of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League were made today in Nyon, with Portuguese interest in two of the three competitions. With Sporting (UCL), Porto (UCL) and Braga (UEL) already qualified for the group stages of their respective competitions, the potential qualification of Benfica (UCL), Paços (UECL) and Santa Clara (UECL) could see SIX Portuguese clubs competing in the group stages in Europe!
UEFA Champions League
SL Benfica, should they get past their third qualifying round opponents Spartak Moscow, will play either PSV Eindhoven (NED) or FC Midtjylland (DEN).
Jorge Jesus’ men travel to Russia on Wednesday to face an old friend in Rui Vitória. The Spartak manager guided Benfica to two Primeira Liga titles, a Taça de Portugal, a Taça da Liga and the Supertaça during his time at the club. If Benfica manage to make it to the UEFA Champions League Group Stages, it will be the first time THREE Portuguese teams have all made it to the group stage since the 2017/18 season.
UEFA Conference League
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Paços de Ferreira have been dealt one of the toughest potential draws in the competition, if they overcome Larne in the third qualifying round, they will face Tottenham Hotspur in the playoff round.
The first leg between Paços and Larne is on Thursday 5th August.
CD Santa Clara, who face Olimpija Ljubljana in the third qualifying round, will face either Partizan or Sochi should they qualify for the next round.
They face Olimpija on Thursday 5th August.
