FC Twente will enter the qualifying rounds for the Champions League

Thanks to this third-place finish, FC Twente qualifies for the Champions League qualification. Unfortunately, in their previous three attempts, the Tukkers were not successful. In 2008, FC Twente, under the management of Steve McClaren, was eliminated by the powerhouse Arsenal, and the following year, Sporting Portugal, not for the first time, proved to be a nemesis for a Dutch team. In the last attempt in 2012, Twente survived a round by defeating Romanian side FC Vaslui, only to face defeat against Benfica.

Thus, FC Twente has only managed to qualify for the Champions League main tournament once in the club's history, thanks to their championship win in 2009/10. In 2010/11, under the management of Michel Preud'homme, the team performed admirably in the group stage by remaining undefeated at home against Inter, Tottenham Hotspur, and Werder Bremen (with three draws). Their only victory in the Champions League came away at Werder Bremen.

At FC Twente, several players experienced their definitive breakthrough. The two 22-year-olds, Sem Steijn (17 goals & 3 assists) and Daan Rots (7 goals & 10 assists), both contributed to more than fifteen goals and assists each. Another 22-year-old, Mathias Kjølø, also made his mark by securing possession more frequently than any other Twente player (185 times). Additionally, FC Twente relied on three highly productive players in their thirties.

For instance, the now 35-year-old Ricky van Wolfswinkel demonstrated that he hasn't lost his knack for scoring goals. At the beginning of the season, he often had to prove himself as a substitute, but after Manfred Ugalde's departure, Van Wolfswinkel quietly secured his spot in the starting lineup. Consequently, Ricky van Wolfswinkel became the first player ever to score seven goals as a substitute in a single Eredivisie season, while also scoring at least as many goals as a starter (9 times).

Van Wolfswinkel became only the thirteenth player ever to score his sixteenth goal of an Eredivisie season after his 35th birthday, joining Dirk Kuijt, Robin van Persie, and Klaas Jan Huntelaar in achieving this feat this century. Notably, his sixteenth goal was memorable as it turned out to be the winning goal against PEC Zwolle.

In defense, FC Twente was also led by veterans. At the heart of it was the 30-year-old Robin Pröpper, who won the most aerial duels (94) and had the most interceptions (32) of all FC Twente players. Among outfield players with more than a full match under their belts, he also had the highest duel success rate (60%).

And between the posts, Lars Unnerstall once again proved to be a highly reliable goalkeeper this year. The German keeper missed only two matches and demonstrated in the remaining 32 why he is so valued in Enschede. Based on Opta's Expected Goals on Target model, FC Twente should have conceded more than 41 goals in matches with Unnerstall this Eredivisie season. However, the shots on target against Twente only resulted in 33 goals conceded (plus 2 own goals). No goalkeeper prevented as many goals this season as Unnerstall (8.3).