Does the new Champions League format work?

2024-12-17 15:30 © AFP

The new Champions League format is experiencing its first season. Instead of six group-stage matches, everything has transformed into eight matches against different opponents and a general league table, rather than a group of four teams.

One of the advantages of this format is undoubtedly the variety of matches. So far this season, we have seen fantastic matches like "Barcelona” 4:1 "Bayern”; "Borussia” 2:3 "Barcelona”; "Manchester City” 3:3 "Feyenoord”; "Real” 1:3 "AC Milan”; "Leipzig” 2:3 "Juventus”; "Aston Villa” 1:0 "Bayern”; "AS Monaco” 2:1 "Barcelona”; "Real” 3:1 "Stuttgart”; "Sporting” 4:1 "Manchester City” and others.

It cannot be said that we haven't seen such matches in the group stage before, but at least one very intriguing match on matchday is guaranteed. This was a known advantage of this new format even before the draw.

In this stage of the tournament, it's interesting to see struggling giants. "Manchester City” and PSG are in serious danger of not making it to the knockout round. They are on the brink of elimination, and in the next round, these teams will meet. A loss for either of these teams would be extremely painful. Real Madrid's situation is also precarious: we couldn't even think about this in the previous format. Not long ago, there were also questions regarding the status of "Atletico” and "AC Milan” in this format, but these teams have recovered. Finally, we can also highlight "RB Leipzig.” The German giants will not make it to the knockout stage without a win.

One of the downsides is that now we will have to wait until January when the first stage concludes. In January, the last two rounds will take place, and the knockout rounds will follow immediately, leaving clubs' scouts with less time to prepare, and players will continue to have an extremely busy match schedule.

Since football players and fans of this sport are incredibly proud, it has been noted that in the first stage, there are sometimes lengthy wait times for return matches. If you suffer a 1:2 loss in Monaco or get thrashed 1:4 in Lisbon, it's natural that the desire for revenge remains. However, such opportunities are not available; they may have to wait for several years.

The knockout format will be quite clear once the first stage of the tournament concludes. A symbolic draw ceremony will take place. In this ceremony, clubs will know the two opponents they could meet in the next stage. One of the balls will be drawn, and then the tournament tree will be revealed.

Potential Champions League last-16 brackets after Matchday 6. Things are shaping up in this performance-based draw.

The good thing about this format is that none of the big teams have the birthright to at least play the last-16 tie. They have to earn it (**hear hear Man City,… pic.twitter.com/N7LLUzonJm

— Mizgan (@mizgans) December 11, 2024

Interestingly, in the "football slaves” facebook group, a larger portion of fans voted against this Champions League format.

One of the fans stated that time should be given for the new format to settle in. However, for those who bet on sporting events, the old format was more convenient.

What is your opinion?