New CL Format Thoughts

[bobbyowenquiff]

Although we played shit and didn’t deserve to get through, I thought as a top seed, we were shafted with PSG, Juve and Sporting away plus Inter at home.
Some of the lesser teams who got through have just ended up as Cannon fodder in the last 16.
Shit format

PSG and Inter are the best teams in my view. As you say we had a stinker of a draw. We didn’t deserve anything though.

 

[Gray]

It was the clubs that wanted more games not UEFA

Well they must be bloody stupid. We as fans don't want more games.

 

[St Helens Blue (Exiled)]

European Super League in all but name now.
We got some really tough games but it is what it is.
Liverpool. Oh well

 

[Mike N]

Have to say it was a great game last night.

I agree with their manager that Liverpool were unlucky to get such a good team considering that they were the best side in the group format. That’s the new system for you.

Paris look much better than they have done previously.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

The stats might subsequently prove me wrong, but it feels as though the removal of the "away goal" rule has had a bigger impact than the new format, resulting in more games going to a penalty shootout

It wouldn't have made any difference to PSG-Liverpool, but City have previously suffered from both systems.

Tottenham 2018-19 would have gone to penalties, but last season we would have beaten Real Madrid having scored more goals in the away leg.

I'm not suggesting that either system is better but it just feels as though more CL games will finish with penalties

 

[TheGhost]

The stats might subsequently prove me wrong, but it feels as though the removal of the "away goal" rule has had a bigger impact than the new format, resulting in more games going to a penalty shootout

It wouldn't have made any difference to PSG-Liverpool, but City have previously suffered from both systems.

Tottenham 2018-19 would have gone to penalties, but last season we would have beaten Real Madrid having scored more goals in the away leg.

I'm not suggesting that either system is better but it just feels as though more CL games will finish with penalties

The one goal swing , from winning a tie to immediately going out made for more desperate attacking football.

If that Raz ‘goal’ v Spurs, was just to take the tie to extra time it wouldn’t have been so dramatic.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

The one goal swing , from winning a tie to immediately going out made for more desperate attacking football.

If that Raz ‘goal’ v Spurs, was just to take the tie to extra time it wouldn’t have been so dramatic.

That was my exact point though

The removal of the away goal rule impacted far more than any change to the qualification procedure

Liverpool were unlucky to win the group and then draw a team that had started slowly, but that was just as likely under the original format, Chelsea in 20-21 being the best example

 

[city2]

Scousers finished top and thought this is piss easy and all the media were wanking themselves silly then along came PSG the rest is history.

 

[Greenandblue]

Any format that gets Liverpool eliminated is fine with me.

 

[faulknr]

Although we played shit and didn’t deserve to get through, I thought as a top seed, we were shafted with PSG, Juve and Sporting away plus Inter at home.
Some of the lesser teams who got through have just ended up as Cannon fodder in the last 16.
Shit format

For the league stage, every team got a relatively even draw, purely based on seeding. Home/away ties were a bit of lottery, but each team played a home and away fixture against teams in each pot.

The main issue (for which no format can be blamed) is form. City were a prime example of under-performing, but also Bayern, PSG & Real Madrid didn't exactly rip-up trees. You could argue teams like Lille, Atalanta and even Villa over-performed. This has skewed some of the play-off/knockout fixtures.

However, this isn't anything new. "Top rated" sides under-performed and finished second (or even lower) in the old group stages, resulting in skewed early knockout ties or even early straight elimination.

I think there are too many fixtures, but I also think it's made things a bit more interesting, for now. I'm pleased that finishing top of the league doesn't necessarily guarantee a simple route through the knockouts. I suspect teams will be more aware of the nuances next time round.

 

[Betterdeedthan red]

Well they must be bloody stupid. We as fans don't want more games.

Clubs don't give a fuck about what fans what

 

[bluenova]

PSG and Inter are the best teams in my view. As you say we had a stinker of a draw. We didn’t deserve anything though.

PSG had Arsenal and Bayern away, plus us and Atlético Madrid at home - that's a bit of a stinker too. There were definitely some tougher draws, but then we also weren't the only one of the favourites to be in unusually poor form in the first stage.

 

[Brightwell Bros.]

I'm a bit torn by the whole thing.

From a sporting perspective, it's all over the place. Looks like the format has being shedding top teams, but it does make it more interesting. I suppose we will have to see what the semis end up looking like.

There's always been a game at every game round that looked tasty on paper, and I've probably watched more than I would have done.

As a match going fan, my bank account doesn't love a potential two extra home games, but I can just about afford it and like spending time with my old man.

 

[TheGhost]

That was my exact point though

The removal of the away goal rule impacted far more than any change to the qualification procedure

Liverpool were unlucky to win the group and then draw a team that had started slowly, but that was just as likely under the original format, Chelsea in 20-21 being the best example

I think the format suits the bigger teams, with the bigger squads and reduces the jeopardy.

 

[HypnoticBlue]

It’s still corrupt whichever format.

 

[Damanino]

I hate Arsenal and I hope Real rips them apart. especially if they can make a fool from Gabriel and Rice.

 

[SamTheGuru]

I think the format suits the bigger teams, with the bigger squads and reduces the jeopardy.

Sarcasm or?

 

[SamTheGuru]

I hate Arsenal and I hope Real rips them apart. especially if they can make a fool from Gabriel and Rice.

I don't hate Arsenal, they have lost the league in their only chance to win it. A bit like when Spurs came third in a two horse race. Real are pissing me off now. For all Pep's flaws this season, Real Madrid is the new derby.

 

[Chak19]

I hate Arsenal and I hope Real rips them apart. especially if they can make a fool from Gabriel and Rice.

After tonight I hope the tarquins beat them as unlikely as that is, fucking sick of these corrupt scum.

 

[69FACUPfinal]

PSG and Inter are the best teams in my view. As you say we had a stinker of a draw. We didn’t deserve anything though.

I said at the time of the draw last August we got some rough games. We are never first out in any cup competition draws, but hey ho first new format of CL there we were. I do think the other 3 English teams got a better 8 draw than we did.

We were bobbins, but even so it seemed hard to me.