Actually, the new format of the Champions League is good. This is a bigger surprise than Brest storming the competition.
More important fights. Danger added. More accessories. Better equipment. What’s not to love? Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester City at this stage of the competition, there were usually clashes to determine first and second place in the competition in front of two hurdles. Now all that remains is to fight to stay in the tournament itself.
This is fucking brilliant: we take back everything we’ve ever said about it. Although we predicted this would happen to correct European football. But we don’t expect it to stay that way.
The new Champions League format was not designed this way
Because despite all UEFA’s views on how a new league phase would create new drama and give smaller teams a chance, they didn’t Actually expect it. For this reason, the league phase was not introduced.
It was introduced to give the big clubs two extra places in the Champions League. It was introduced to allow the world’s eight biggest teams to easily advance to the next round. It was introduced to create two more devices for such as Real Madrid AND Manchester City enjoy TV rights for: no other fourand next year there will be a play-off before the knockout round.
Nobody expected this Brest, Lille AND Aston Villa it would be so good. We all thought they would be eliminated from mid-table while the elite cleaned up. Just Liverpool have a 100% record.
This can only mean one of two things as UEFA faces enormous pressure over the new format. Either they change it to benefit the bigger clubs or they leave.
Is this a pessimistic view of a fantastic addition to a tiring tournament? Of course. And yes, it’s not often that Real and City look this bad – but take that into account Bayern Munich are 10. Milan 12th place, despite beating Real Madrid. Juventus 14. Real are in 20th place, City 22nd, and both teams are already at serious risk of leaving. PSG has no place in the play-offs at all, having won just twice.
The threat of the Super League looms over the sport like a comic book villain and it no longer needs any ammunition. While it’s good for football that smaller clubs may have a chance to go deep in this competition, it’s not good for TV personalities.
The new format may not be a one-season wonder, but there will certainly be reforms if the situation continues. The Champions League has been great to watch this season, and some of them Super League 2021 teams of escapees reduced to size.
But this is not what the powerful want. Get ready.
