There are not many things that all football fans will agree on. Get two sets of opposing supporters in a room to watch a game and they are guaranteed to see different outcomes, even with events that will seem pretty cut and dry to most neutral observers. So, it was something of a shock when the news of a change of format to the Champions League this season was first announced.
Although many football fans thought that things needed to change, there was not a lot of support with what UEFA had come up with. However, we are now nearing the end of the league phase of the competition and opinions have changed in a lot of circumstances.
We thought we would take this opportunity – before the knockout rounds begin and fans start consulting the best online sportsbook reviews to see where to back their favorites – to reflect on whether this all-new Champions League format has, in fact, been a success or not.
What Changed?
🚨 The new Champions League format starting from 2024/25 explained: pic.twitter.com/tr92HNuQLl
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) May 17, 2023
After listening to criticism over the format of the competition, UEFA decided to change the way the Champions League would play out this season and the main difference has been an expanded group phase. The old eight groups of four was discarded and a new 36-team “league” was to take place after the qualifying rounds had finished.
There is also to be an extra playoff round after this league phase to decide who will play in the round of 16. From there the rest of the competition is as before, with two-legged ties until the one-game final at the end of May. It was a little difficult to get your head around at first but it has largely gone ahead without a hitch so far.
Not a League
One of the major gripes with the new format was that the league phase was not really a league at all. Yes, the 36 teams taking part compete to finish as high up in the table as possible but this league does not play out in the same way as most domestic competitions. For a start, each team only plays eight others.
This was the major change that seemed to rankle with fans. How can a team be considered the best at this stage if it has not played all the others? Although it a fair point, it could also be said that the old format had teams only playing three others to get to the knockout rounds – and no one had a problem with that.
Not As Advertised
An aspect of this new format that UEFA probably didn’t plan for is that not all of the big clubs have had an easy time of it. More games against weaker opposition were supposed to almost guarantee a place in the later stages for the likes of Manchester City and PSG. But both those sides have struggled and were not even assured of a place in the playoff round with just one game to go.
The biggest criticism of the new format, when it was first announced, was that it seemed to make it even easier for the wealthier clubs to progress – and make even more money from the extra fixtures. But the so-called minnows of Europe have outdone themselves, causing a number of surprise results throughout the league phase.
Same Old Faces
That being said, it does look as though most of the familiar names from the Champions League knockout rounds of the past will be in contention again this season. A club such as Manchester City has been able to lose three of its first seven games and still has a chance of making it to the round of 16. Poor performances would have been more severely punished in the past.
A contrary position to that would be that most fans want to see the best teams and players challenging at the business end of competitions anyway. As much as we all enjoy upsets (as long as it is not our team on the receiving end) there is always a feeling of injustice if the best team doesn’t end up winning.
Benefits for Smaller Clubs
There is no doubt that the new format has benefitted the smaller clubs in the Champions League. For a start, more teams have been able to enjoy more games against stronger opponents. This has not only brought more money through the gate but has also improved the skill level of the players involved.
Much like the introduction of the Nations League a few years ago, which improved the standard of traditionally weaker international sides, the expanded Champions League has benefited the smaller European clubs involved. As well as playing a few powerhouses, they have also been able to challenge against more similarly-abled sides, providing confidence boosts and – in some cases – a chance to progress even further in the competition.
Success or Not?
There will be some traditionalists who would have preferred that UEFA had reverted to the old days of just actual champions competing. But that was never going to happen and the format we have had for the last 20 years or so was in desperate need of updating.
It has made life tough for a few of the weakest clubs this season but the phase as a whole has been remarkably evenly balanced. A few of the top clubs enduring poor seasons have only added to the excitement. The extra games and confusing fixture list have meant that it has been more difficult to keep up with what is going on every match day – and to figure out what a successful points haul would even be. But these are elements that will become more familiar in time.
It has to be said that, despite some misgivings, the all-new Champions League format has been a roaring success. And once the knockout rounds begin in earnest, even the most adverse fan will be more interested in seeing what happens next.
