2024-08-30 07:00:20
The reform of the Champions League will not change the ever-widening gap between the participating teams and those who only dream of being there.
As far as the reform itself is concerned, it is a blessing – and a long overdue step. The old format, in which it was usually clear after just four group matches who would qualify for the round of 16, has long since outlived its usefulness and was no longer viable in its previous state. In the new format, every point, even every goal, counts, because all 36 teams compete against each other in a common table. It is a real Champions League in which every position has to be fought for.
The fact that the eighth matchday at the end of January will also be played in parallel will add to the excitement, similar to the World and European Championships. Which team will make it into the top 8 and avoid the two additional play-off games at the beginning of February? And who will just manage to slip to 24th place to keep their chance of winning the title and avoid being eliminated from Europe?
Which brings us to another advantage of the new format. Relegation from the Champions League to the Europa League is a thing of the past – and that’s a good thing. Nobody wants a Europa League winner who started the international season in another competition. In addition, the home and away matches in the knockout round will always be played in the following weeks. The lengthy fragmentation of the round of 16 matches, which stretch over a whole month, is over.
Last but not least, there are more different duels in the league phase. Instead of playing against three teams twice, each team will face eight different European rivals once, four times at home and four times away. An extended showdown and an element of variety. A freshness that the dusty old competition had completely lost and which will now help it to shine again.