The recent transition to the new UEFA Champions League format has sparked debate about its effectiveness. With 36 teams competing in a single league table and not on a mirrored home-and-away basis, it breaks from the traditional group stage. Some analysts, like Gabriele Marcotti, appreciated it for giving smaller clubs opportunities and introducing more exhilarating matches among top teams. However, others, such as Mark Ogden, noted that matchdays often lacked excitement initially as elite clubs underestimated smaller opponents. James Olley criticized it as a money-driven change that diluted the traditional sense of competition until late in the tournament.
The new UEFA Champions League format allows for smaller teams to have more chances in competitive matches, while also increasing the number of high-stakes games between big clubs.
Mark Ogden expressed concern that the excitement of the new format took too long to build, leading to early matches lacking intensity and jeopardy.
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