New CL Format Thoughts

Happy with the variety in opposition. UEFA have not thought this through as much as the big boys who worked out they can have friendly draws against each other then batter the rest to make sure minimum points for knockout stages are guaranteed.

There's going to be some boring as fuck games and more small teams getting battered by 5 or more goals. For example Celtic will get spanked by someone by more goals than they scored yesterday.
 
chesterbells said:
But us having Inter, PSG and Juve, the latter 2 away, doesn’t feel hugely fair, esp when you look at the fixtures a team like Celtic have ended up with …
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We got an average draw but you are bang on with Celtic. PSG got the nightmare.

theanalyst.com

Champions League 2024-25 Fixture Difficulty: Who Has the Easiest and Toughest Group Stage Games? | Opta Analyst

We've used the Opta Power Rankings to work out the fixture difficulty for each team in this season's UEFA Champions League group stage.
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Manchester33 said:
Surely I’m not the only one who quite likes the new format?

I reckon after 6/7 games it will be interesting…. Top 8 is a big ask and some of the big clubs are going to miss out.
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Apart from the fact that it’s an obvious money grab and even more games for the players, I’m with you mate. I like it and it throws up more variety which is great for fans who like to do European aways. More clubs will have something to play for towards the end of the group stage too.
 
M18CTID said:
Apart from the fact that it’s an obvious money grab and even more games for the players, I’m with you mate. I like it and it throws up more variety which is great for fans who like to do European aways. More clubs will have something to play for towards the end of the group stage too.
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How does this all end. Last 18 ties all played on the same night? Or, do some teams have the benefit of knowing what they need to do before a ball is kicked.
 
Manchester33 said:
Surely I’m not the only one who quite likes the new format?

I reckon after 6/7 games it will be interesting…. Top 8 is a big ask and some of the big clubs are going to miss out.
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I like it, and think not only will one or two big clubs miss out on top 8 , the 2 legs to make the last 16 could see some surprises. Extra games a bit of a negative but think it will be more interesting than the old groups.
 
Pish we drew

What I did notice is you care less about other scores initially as you're not in a specific group.

More games, less rest, more injuries, less fun, more Thursday games, less Sturday matches, more impact on Premier league.
 
MadchesterCity said:
Pish we drew

What I did notice is you care less about other scores initially as you're not in a specific group.

More games, less rest, more injuries, less fun, more Thursday games, less Sturday matches, more impact on Premier league.
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Only Thursday for this round?
 
To me the biggest weight is on the managers and staff, having to prepare for five additional opponents vs. the old format, and the players must do as well, and play two additional matches.

I agree that the onus/expectation is to stomp on the minnows while the big guns try to play to cagey draws.
 
cyan said:
I thought that the jeopardy last night was that it was better for both teams to not lose than to not win. Only time will tell if that is the case, we will need to see if Pot 1 teams continue to cancel one another out or if someone will be able to take advantage of playing a weaker Pot 1 team and top the table.

The big win for Bayern may also make a difference - will there be a pressure to thrash the weaker sides and match their goal difference?

On the other hand Celtic and Villa have had good wins from Pot 3 & 4 - that must give them a hope that the can progress. And Villa, may well be good enough to take points off some Leipzig (from Pot 1) and perhaps even Bayern.
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Villa could finish top 8, you heard it here first
 
Neutrals will love it cos they get to watch City v Inter as opposed to City v Copenhagen etc...
As the brilliant Emily Brobyn said on 5 Live this morning 'this was a last 16 tie' which we would ordinarily have played in February.

My thoughts are it's another way to fleece supporters. Ticket cost me nearly £50 last night and there's still Watford in the LC to pay for and we're not even into October.
 
Just anticipating a negative headline later on BBC - City struggle in 14th place after match 1
 
Don’t like it. It was like this result didn’t really matter that much. Previously, if we had drawn at home to Inter we’d be concerned, because we would probably have to get something there to be sure of qualifying, but now it’s relax, there’s plenty of other games to get something.
 
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