Several players, coaches and consultants were asked to give their opinion on the new format of the Champions League, which replaces the group stage with a championship phase with a single ranking.
“It was necessary” for some. “Everyone is tired,” we hear among the detractors. The new format of the Champions League, which has each team play eight matches and eight different opponents within a single ranking, begins this Tuesday, September 17. During the pre-match press conferences, but also in various interviews, football players were called upon to take a position.
They are satisfied
Olivier Létang, president of Losc: “It’s great. We’re already very happy to be here. We’ve had some headwinds, but we’ll have some great matches, it’s fantastic. I was doubtful about the format but in the end, it’s great.”
Sergei Palkin, CEO of Shakhtar Donetsk: “For us, playing as many European matches as possible is a solution for the enthusiasm of the fans, our players and for the financing of the club.”
Thiago Motta, Juventus coach: “I really liked the previous format, but I like the new one too. We will face different clubs, so our work will change in many ways. It changes a lot, but it is even more beautiful and stimulating because we will know, study and watch completely different things.”
Unai Emery, Aston Villa coach: “I prefer the new format. I think it needed a change. It was necessary and I think this one will be better. Before, something was missing. We will play more matches, more interesting games. An elimination can happen quickly, but we have eight matches and that’s good. Everyone in the same ranking, it’s fairer and more attractive for the fans.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach: “Every game will be crucial. You want to finish as high as possible, and to do that you have to win every game. You can play against any opponent on any pitch. It’s great and it allows you to see very early in the season where you are, what your level is and how much you have progressed in the competition. Obviously, the level will be different.”
Max Eberl, sporting director of Bayern: “I was a bit conflicted, but I’ve been excited since the draw. It’s a different feeling, you’re playing against eight opponents, others are playing against completely different opponents. It’s going to be exciting until the last day. In the past, the top two teams were usually decided after four games.”
Liverpool coach Arne Slot: “What do I think of the format? That’s something that you’ll have to ask me at the end. But as a football fan, what I like is that in front of the television every time there will be a great match to watch. Where in the previous format; there were evenings when we said to ourselves that it would be better tomorrow. But here for example, everyone will want to watch our match, in any case all those who like football. That’s the positive thing for people who will be at home”.
Ruben Amorim, coach of Sporting CP: “Whether the new format is easier or more difficult, I don’t know. It’s the first time. But it will be more attractive.
Didier Domi, beIN Sports MENA consultant: “I’m very excited about the fact that there are more big games, that each team will play two opponents from pot 1. It’s absolutely fantastic. Sometimes, during the group stage, we didn’t have many big games. (…) A Real-Liverpool is normally a final or a quarter-final. Now, before the end of the winter, to have these types of games is absolutely fantastic. It’s more attractive, more dynamic. I don’t know who did it, but it’s very well done. There will be more suspense at the end.”
They are reserved or opposed
Marquinhos, defender of Paris Saint-Germain: “For the spectators, it’s really something good, with lots of great matches, big teams that will face each other. For the players, it’s really extra matches in an already busy schedule.”
Alisson Becker, Liverpool goalkeeper: “For the fans it’s great: more games, bigger games, big teams competing against each other. For the players too it’s a good thing to be able to play against the best in Europe. And it’s always a good idea to add games to a schedule that’s not very busy… I’m being a bit ironic! But we’re here to do our job. Nobody asks the players what they think about adding games. So maybe our opinion doesn’t count, but everyone knows what we think about it. Everyone is tired of it, but we have to put these kinds of things aside and stay focused on the big challenge that awaits us tomorrow.”
Thomas Müller, Bayern Munich midfielder: “To be honest, I find it difficult to assess our draw. For example, I cannot estimate exactly how many points we need to qualify.”
Bernardo Silva, Manchester City midfielder: “The schedule is completely crazy. We’re probably going to be playing every three days for months. It’s absolutely absurd. (…) In the Champions League, if you don’t qualify for the last 16, you still have to play two games. It’s true that the squads are bigger, but I’m not going to say it’s easy. I spend very little time with my family and friends. The amount of games we’re subjected to is absolutely absurd.”
Football Supporters Europe, an association recognised by UEFA: “Fans need to spend more time and money following their team – time and money that many simply don’t have.”
Thierry Henry, consultant for CBS Sports: “For CBS, it’s just exceptional to be able to talk about more games but there’s a “but” for me, because I’m going to side with the coach. Too many games. As a former player, I don’t know how these guys do it. As a consultant, I love it but as a former player and as a coach, it’s too much.”
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