Ogden emphasizes that in a league competition like the Champions League, teams should be able to run up the score as goal difference could be crucial. He argues that it’s part of the competitive nature of football, indicating that historical instances of large scorelines are not exclusive to the new format. While acknowledging the harsh reality of large win margins, he stresses the league context where all 32 teams have earned their spot.
Marcotti challenges the notion that the new format will encourage blowouts, pointing out that goal difference has always mattered in the Champions League. He highlights that the difference in match outcomes, like Bayern beating Zagreb compared to Celtic beating Slovan Bratislava, is a result of resource disparities, rather than the new structure itself. This suggests that blowouts stem from broader competitive imbalances that are not a new phenomenon.
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