New-Look Champions League Produces Jeopardy, But Giants Survive

After the first phase ended on Wednesday, all of the continent’s largest clubs made it to the knockout stage, according to European football body UEFA, which praised the “more dynamic” new format of the Champions League as a huge success.

After Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Brest in France, English superstar Jude Bellingham said, “It’s nice to have a little more jeopardy.”

He did not mention that particular game, which was one of 18 that occurred on the eighth and final matchday of a frantic night that resulted in a total of 64 goals flying around Europe, including one for Bellingham himself.

It was more to do with the new format, which saw all 36 clubs play eight games against eight different opponents, with each club getting their start in the biggest fish.

Losing three of their first five games also caused them to lose. Manchester City certainly faced jeopardy as the competition’s winners in 2023 needed to win their last game at home to Club Brugge in order to avoid elimination, and found themselves 1-0 down at half-time.

They won the knockout round play-offs, and Club Brugge also advanced, winning 3-1 to avoid being humiliated and reaching the knockout round.

In response to the threat of a breakaway Super League involving a select group of giant clubs, UEFA introduced this new format in place of the group system that had been in place for 20 years.

The new format “deliveres on its promise to reinvigorate” a competition that had become a little stale in the group stage,” according to European football’s governing body, beating its chest about the success of the new format.

Only two clubs had to advance to the final matchday in order to avoid having to compete in the play-offs.

Only nine had been eliminated, leaving 25 with something to play for in their last game.

“Avoid the unexpected”

It has naturally been praised by clubs that may have had trouble with the previous system, most notably Brest, who placed 18th and advanced to the play-offs in their first European campaign.

“I really enjoyed it, and I believe the viewers on television and in the stadiums tonight must have really enjoyed it.” There was a lot of suspense. The smaller teams, like us, have a chance, according to Brest coach Eric Roy.

Lille, a different French side, put together a remarkable performance to finish seventh and advance to the last 16, defeating Atletico Madrid and Real.

“I have really liked this format. There is room for surprises”, said Lille’s Thomas Meunier.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti has not, in contrast, concealed his frustration with the league’s eight games increase from the previous six, which was six.

Too many games? &nbsp,

Ancelotti said, “My idea of football is that we must reduce the number of matches in order to reduce the impact on the players.”

One important player at a top European club who requested anonymity shared that opinion, claiming that the new system may be exciting for fans but that it causes physical harm.

“I’d prefer less games to be honest”, was that player’s frank assessment.

For those teams who must now advance to the last 16 of the two-legged play-off tie in February, there will be even less opportunity to rest.

The play-offs, whose draw will take place on Friday, will be filled with excitement, though.

Real and Bayern Munich are both aware that they will either face Manchester City or Celtic next in the way the draw is organized. AC Milan could play Juventus.

Nevertheless, the new format ultimately produced the same end result.

All of the top eight who progress straight to the last 16 hail from Europe’s five biggest leagues, with three from England, two from Spain, and one each from Italy, Germany and France.

Only six clubs from other countries have reached the play-offs, all of a certain pedigree: former European Cup winners in PSV Eindhoven, Benfica, Feyenoord and Celtic, former runners-up in Club Brugge, and Portuguese giants Sporting.

No east of Munich club has advanced, and RB Leipzig, the only club to have been hampered by injuries and a difficult draw, did so despite their own team’s combined scoring record, which is higher than any other team.

Source: Channels TV