Ajax, FC Twente and NEC take advantage of European rules
Ajax, FC Twente and NEC have rescheduled their fixtures in the third round of Eredivisie matches due to European commitments. NEC could postpone its tie to a later date if it advances to the Champions League playoffs.
The third round of Eredivisie matches will not be held on the same weekend. This became clear from the full program published by the KNVB on Wednesday morning. Ajax and FC Twente have had their matches rescheduled due to European commitments, while NEC may also play later in the third matchday round. Ajax, the team that finished third in the Eredivisie last season, plays against Excelsior on August 22, but if NEC advances to the third qualifying round of the Champions League, the match will be postponed. NEC wants to be able to focus fully on the Champions League playoff matches, so the decision to move the match against Excelsior will be taken. In order to make plans for the Eredivisie, clubs may indicate that they wish to postpone matches. Ajax and FC Twente have done so for the same reason. These clubs have qualified for the Europa League and Conference League, so their matches in the third match round (against Willem II and Telstar) will be held in September. The European activities of Eredivisie clubs are having a greater impact on the programme. Some game times in the first and second match rounds depend on the draw of Ajax and FC Twente. The dates may also change later in the season, depending on the clubs' European performance. PSV (champions), Feyenoord (2nd place) and AZ (cup winners) do not face any qualifying rounds this season. Ajax will participate in the second qualifying round of the Conference League, FC Twente in the same round of the Europa League, and NEC in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.