The dawn of a new era in European club football commences this week with the kickoff of the expanded Champions League, sparking intrigue about the revamped format and raising concerns about the escalating number of matches. UEFA, the governing body of European football, recognized the need for change as the traditional group stage had become predictably mundane.
“The new format aims to enhance competitive balance among all teams, providing the opportunity for each team to face opponents of similar competitive caliber throughout the league phase,” states UEFA. This restructured league phase now features 36 clubs, four more than before, with each team set to play eight matches against eight different opponents, two more games than in previous seasons.
The action commenced on Tuesday as reigning champions Real Madrid triumphed with a 3-1 victory against VfB Stuttgart, the surprise runners-up in the previous German Bundesliga season, in the quest to claim their 16th title. In another notable match on the same night, AC Milan succumbed to Liverpool by the same scoreline in a high-stakes clash between clubs boasting a combined total of 13 European titles.
Wednesday will witness Manchester City facing Inter Milan in a rematch of the 2023 final, won by Pep Guardiola’s team. For this week only, Champions League matches will also be held on Thursday, featuring a standout fixture between Monaco and Barcelona.
The expanded competition will showcase a historic showdown between former champions Red Star Belgrade and Benfica in Serbia. The meeting between French newcomers Brest and Austrian champions Sturm Graz, offers a diverse array of matchups not typically associated with elite European football.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin expressed confidence in the new format, emphasizing its potential to add unpredictability and excitement to the competition. It represents a significant change. The top eight teams after the league phase will progress to the last 16. Teams ranked ninth to 24th will compete in a playoff for the remaining spots, while the bottom 12 teams will be eliminated.
There are increased financial rewards, with the competition winners receiving over 86 million euros ($95. 3m) in prize money alone. Paris Saint-Germain facing Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as Real Madrid taking on Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, and AC Milan are exciting matches.
This new format may infuse dynamism into the competition, improving its early stages, as final league phase results will impact the knockout round seedings. However, concerns have arisen regarding the additional matches’ impact on players, in light of the upcoming expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed worries about potential player injuries due to increased game frequency. The global footballers’ union FIFPRO criticized sports governing bodies for neglecting player welfare by imposing more matches without adequate rest. FIFPRO emphasizes the importance of balancing players’ workloads to ensure optimal performance. As demands grow, particularly in tournaments like the Champions League, the question remains whether bigger truly equals better.
Stars to watch
