A couple weeks ago, UEFA announced a new system for the champions League and I am going to be honest, I'm not a big fan. The old system involved a four team group, who would play each other home and away and the two top teams (accumulating most points) would progress to the knockout stages. The third would relagate to the UEFA Europa League while the bottom team would be completely out. The new system is a lot different. The major difference is that the new format would be league based as against the group stage format. The present Champions League group stage includes 32 participants divided into eight groups of four. Thirty six teams would participate in the group phase giving an extra four teams an opportunity to participate at the highest level. Under the new format, teams would play eight games all together in the league phase. Half of it would be at home and the other half away, so teams would not face the same team twice again in the first phase. In the league phase, the regular point system remains; (three points for a win and one for a draw, and none for a loss). The top eight progress to the knockout out stage automatically while, place nine to sixteen would compete in a two-leg playoff to determine who would proceed. Get it now? Also, key note is that there is no more relegation to the Europa League. So place twenty five and below are eliminated fully.
MY OPINION
Personally, I'm not a fan of this new format. I think it would be quite demanding for the players with two extra games to play. I also think the fun would be sapped out of it as the heavy weights of European football are already matched up in the group stage and the knockout and final stages would become redundant and repetitive. While change is good, I believe "good change" is better, and this just feels like a way to generate more revenue. Oh well, what do I know.
KEY FIXTURES
Now my main reason for making this post. I should have made this post earlier but I kept putting it off. The draw was done last Friday and some old enemies meet up again. The games promises to be exciting.
Liverpool vs AC Milan - 17 Sep
These two European giant have been going at it in recent times. Liverpool have been coming up top, but one can't forget the 2005 final where Liverpool lifted the trophy in dramatic fashion. A classic.
Man City vs Inter - 18 Sep
These two battled it out last year, with a sole Rodri strike handing Pep Guradiola's team their first ever champions League trophy.
Arsenal vs PSG - 1 Oct
Last two meetings between these two in the competition has ended in stalemate. They are both looking to go all the way again for the first time, with both teams boasting an impressive eleven. Albeit, PSG would be without their former star man and their Uefa Champions League competition higher scorer, Kylian Mbappe. Arsenal come close to their first domestic triumph in so long last season too. A big one for sure.
Real Madrid vs B. Dortmund - 22 Oct
Last seasons finalist meet again. Real Madrid picked up their fifteenth title last time they met. Now they have a superstar in Kylian Mbappe amongst their ranks and they are looking like a super team at the moment.
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich - 23 Oct
Mouth watering this one. Barcelona would probably still be nursing their wound after their 8 - 2 thrashing back in 2022, and will be hoping for revenge. Sure it has been a while, but they haven't enjoyed any success of recent meetings. With Bayern winning ten of their thirteen meetings and Barcelona winning just two. Incredible.
Real Madrid vs AC Milan - 5 Nov
Two of the competitions most successful clubs go head to head. Clashes between this two have always been one to see, as history tells. Both teams wining an even six respectively of their previous 15 meetings, with three draws. What a game it would be.
Other very notable fixtures
- Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich
- Liverpool vs Real Madrid
- Juventus vs Man City
- PSG vs Man City
Albeit I'm not a big fan of the new format, I do look forward to these games as they promise to be thrilling. Which of the games are you looking forward to the most? Let me know in the comments. Till next time. Thank you for reading.
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any idea why they felt compelled to change it up? Just because they wanted to give lower level teams a greater chance to participate? I'm confused by the entire selection process.
I'm as confused as you are mate.
My money is on the fact that they want to generate more revenue. Just the greedy oligarchs tryna pit more top teams together and play more games
I am looking foward to two games. The first one is Liverpool vs Real Madrid even though Madrid is expected to win the game. The second game is barca vs bayern Munich and that is because the same manger that beat barca 8-2 is now the new head coach of barca and he has also made barca to be a little bit more better than before. For instance I think they won 7-0 in their last game which has not happened for a very long time. Even though I am a city fan I still think these games are going to be fun and are going to stand out.
Broooo
You're right. I totally missed that.
Hansi flick will be on the other side and that is a big game changer. Wow. Lets see how it goes
Thank you for your support bro
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Looking forward to these:
Real Madrid vs B. Dortmund - 22 Oct
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich - 23 Oct
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Big games 👏🏿