Champions League Reform 2024: That should change in the premier class
League system with 10 preliminary round games in the Champions League?
According to a new report from the British daily The Times, football fans across Europe can expect a Champions League reform in 2024.
The innovations in Europe’s most important club competition will mainly affect the group stage. We took a closer look at the most important points and examined them.
What are the main proposals of the Champions League reform?
With a reform of the Champions League, UEFA, around its President Aleksander Ceferin, wants to fundamentally reform the premier class for the first time in a long time.
For some time there has been speculation about the concept that was now available in parts to The Times.
Instead of eight preliminary round groups with four clubs each, the reform considers a league system.
In this, all 32 teams would be led according to points or goal difference as in the Bundesliga or Premier League. But instead of having everyone compete against everyone else in the first and second leg, each club should play ten games.
How exactly it should be determined which club in the group meets which opponent is not yet known. A draw is also conceivable here.
After ten match days, the best 16 teams in the preliminary round qualify for the knockout phase.
This should continue to be played back and forth until the final. In the meantime, it is interesting that the former system of the Copa Libertadores is being adopted: the 1st of the preliminary round plays against the 16th, the 2nd against the 15th and so on.
Champions League Reform: The most important points in brief
Instead of preliminary round groups, the participants in the round of 16 are determined by a league table.
Each participating club meets ten other clubs in the preliminary round.
The best 16 teams qualify for the knockout phase.
17th to 24th place is relegated to the Europa League.
UEFA expects more top games in the group stage through the Champions League reform.
Why is there a Champions League reform in 2024?
For some time now, UEFA has inevitably been working on a Champions League reform 2024. The current agreement expires in 2024, so it will be the last chance to change something bigger in the system for a few years.
In addition, there are considerations of a super league on the part of some European heavyweights such as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. In order not to jeopardize the existence of its premium product, UEFA must make it more attractive for the big names.
Basically, there should be more games between the top European teams. This leads to a more exciting group stage, which has often been disappointing in recent years, as many were able to feel safe early after the 4th or 5th matchday.
Instead of 32 teams, preliminary round games with 36 teams are also conceivable in the future.
Who will benefit from the innovations in the premier class?
The top teams in particular benefit from the planned reform of the Champions League. The fact that the 16 teams progressed with the most points means that big surprises are more likely than ever.
If, for example, there are three strong teams in a group, as in the current season – Paris SG, RB Leipzig and Manchester United – they can all reach the round of 16 in the future.
So far, a team has had to make do with the Europa League intermediate round.
Who will win the Champions League 2021?
Betting Prediction: Bayern Munich
Odds: 3.75
Betting Prediction: Manchester City
Odds: 5.00
Betting Prediction: Liverpool FC
Odds: 7.00
Betting Prediction: Paris SG
Odds: 15.0
Betting Prediction: FC Barcelona
Odds: 15.0
However, a lot of criticism can also be expected from the clubs. The high level of stress on players in the course of the corona pandemic is already causing a lot of criticism within the leagues.
Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp, in particular, was repeatedly noticed by negative comments with regard to the game plan.
Thanks to the larger number of group matches, all clubs and UEFA itself should also benefit in terms of media revenues. New TV contracts should also represent these changed framework conditions.
Talks about the 2024 Champions League reform are to take place at UEFA this week. The outcome is currently still open, although the system described is clearly favoured according to media reports.
