Starting next season, the Champions League will implement changes granting a significant advantage to the top eight teams in the league phase during knockout stages. The top two teams will host the second leg of all knockout ties, while teams placed 3rd and 4th will do so in the round of 16 and quarterfinals. Teams ranked 5th to 8th will have this advantage in the round of 16 only. Additionally, teams eliminating a top four team will retain that advantage in subsequent rounds. These changes aim to motivate stronger teams and provide hope for lesser clubs.
From next season, teams that finish in the top 8 of the UCL league phase will have an advantage in the knockout stage. The top 2 teams in the league phase will play the second leg at home in all knockout ties.
3rd and 4th in the league phase will play the second leg at home in the round of 16 and the quarterfinals. 5th to 8th in the league phase will play the second leg at home in the round of 16.
If a team eliminates a top 4 team in the round of 16, they take over the advantage of the team they knocked out in the next rounds.
Theoretically, this should push the stronger teams to...try harder earlier in the competition, while also giving the lesser clubs some hope as well.
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