Sport

AZ and NEC face Juventus and Benfica in Europa League

AZ and NEC find out their opponents in the Europa League: both will face Juventus and Benfica.

28 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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AZ and NEC face Juventus and Benfica in Europa League — Photo: Sport Lisboa e Benfica · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0

In the Europa League draw, AZ and NEC have been paired with Juventus and Benfica. AZ, designated as the home club, will host Juventus, while NEC will welcome Benfica at home. This was announced during the draw that took place on Friday.

NEC has progressed to the group stage of the Europa League through the qualifying round of the Champions League. This advancement has positioned the club to compete against some of the biggest teams in Europe, including Benfica, which is one of the most successful clubs in Portugal.

AZ, also known for its strong performances in domestic competitions, will face Juventus, the Italian record champion. Both clubs have a rich history in European tournaments, making these encounters particularly exciting for the fans.

The draw not only results in the clash between AZ and Juventus, but also the meeting between NEC and Benfica. Fans of both clubs are looking forward to these challenging matchups, scheduled for the coming months in the Europa League.

Additionally, AZ has other opponents in this stage, such as Sunderland, and has its European adventure scheduled for September 16 or 17. The opponents are a test case for the team, which aims to prove itself on the European stage.

The Europa League promises to be a challenging and exciting competition for both AZ and NEC, with tough matches and the chance to compete against top teams from Europe.

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