"The new Champions League format is a clear improvement. In the old group stage, everything was often already decided after the fourth matchday. Bayern were regularly qualified, and there were one or two meaningless games. I'm a football fan in the first place. The mere fact that four top teams - Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain - had to go through the playoffs last season was proof to me of how much more exciting this format is."
"The big teams have understood that they have to give everything from the start to get into the top eight - because that's what everyone wants. A year ago, a lot of things were still new; some top clubs were taking a more relaxed approach to one or two matches. For fans, the league phase is now much more emotional. They're constantly checking their phones: Where's Bayern? Where's Real Madrid? UEFA has pulled off a real coup with this."
The Champions League replaced the group stage with a League Phase last season, producing greater uncertainty and fewer meaningless matches. Top clubs must perform from the first match to reach the top eight, increasing competitive pressure and fan engagement. Four leading teams—Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain—required playoffs last season, demonstrating the format's intensity. Fans now follow results constantly, heightening emotional investment. Bayern Munich will host Chelsea at the Allianz Arena, creating an electric atmosphere. Chelsea faces some injuries while Bayern addresses its own fitness issues as Vincent Kompany appears to have settled on a starting XI for big matches.
Read at Bavarian Football Works
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