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Chelsea FC have a good time profitable the Champions League in 2021. AFP/VNA Picture
Paul Kennedy
If it ain’t broke, then there’s no want to repair one thing, proper? Improper, particularly when there’s cash concerned.
Plans had been revealed this week for a revamp to the Champions League, Europe’s elite soccer competitors.
Briefly, the variety of groups will improve from 32 to 36, and as an alternative of a gaggle stage, there can be one, single league with every crew enjoying eight matches.
As soon as that’s over, the highest eight groups will undergo to the final 16, with the 16 groups ending between ninth and twenty fourth coming into a two-legged play-off with a victory getting them by means of to the final 16 and the losers dropping into the Europa League.
Groups who end twenty fifth or beneath can be eradicated altogether and won’t drop all the way down to the Europa League.
As issues stand, there can be no change to the knock-out levels, though there was a suggestion as an alternative of two-legged semi-finals, a week-long soccer competition can be held, with the semis performed over one leg at a impartial venue shortly adopted by the ultimate just a few days later. However for now, that concept isn’t a part of the reforms.
Barring any dramatic U-turn, this new system will come into play from the beginning of the 2024/25 season.
UEFA, Europe’s footballing governing physique, will I’m certain insist it will profit the golf equipment, as further video games clearly imply higher monetary features from an even bigger match, and likewise extra income by means of ticket gross sales.
Extra matches clearly imply extra money, however this format additionally acts as considerably of a security internet for the larger golf equipment throughout the continent. Ought to they slip up in a match, there can be extra video games for them to appropriate it.
This season, Spanish minnows Villareal virtually triggered an upset, reaching the semi-final stage after beating each Juventus and Bayern Munich on the best way, and I ponder, when the brand new format begins, will we see smaller golf equipment making it thus far within the competitors, I’m not so certain.
Though I started this piece stating that if one thing’s not damaged, then there’s no want to repair it, one thing I stand by, and though I don’t suppose the match is essentially damaged, I do suppose it has turn into just a little drained, a bit samey.
There was the menace earlier this yr of the highest golf equipment breaking away from their home leagues altogether and forming a European Tremendous League, a choice met with the last word distain by most supporters.
Though it’s price noting that the thought hasn’t utterly gone away. Juventus, Barcelona and Actual Madrid are reportedly nonetheless eager on reviving the breakaway.
Lastly, you need to take note of participant well-being. Most of the high managers have complained of sport congestion because the season attracts to a detailed, and I’m certain the prospect of enjoying extra video games doesn’t precisely fill them with glee.
However for me, as a fan, I need my membership to be as profitable as humanly attainable, and if meaning a few further video games in the direction of greatness, then so be it. VNS
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