UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Season

[Palakka]

First of all it is a visual pollution in image, just too many matches.    The look of the group stage was much tidier but anyway... I'm just waiting for the matches now.

I think PSG have a really tough fixture ahead of them. Just look at it below.



Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal... 2 of them are away matches as well. This is where we are about to find out how strong PSG is after Mbappe. Yes, they have started the Ligue 1 impressively but we haven't seen the current lineup playing in a big match yet.

Fixtures aren't ready yet as far as I can see. Imagine PSG hosting Manchester City at the beginning already.  

Well that's what I think too, because when I saw the draw results at first I felt quite dizzy when I saw it and I agree with you that it looked neater when it was still using the old format. However, this is part of the adjustment because we are not used to seeing the new format that is being implemented now. What is interesting is when we see that there will be many matches that bring together big clubs in the first phase, unlike before where there were only 2 or at most 3 big clubs that met each other in the group stage. Now we will be presented with big matches, that's what I think will be fun. And the other is where they can't take revenge because they will only meet once.  

The new form of the Champions League allows us to see many bigmatches happen early, but it seems that with the big teams meeting too quickly of course no longer promising that there will be excitement in the round of 16 later, after seeing the results of the drawing that was done yesterday, actually I am still a little confused about the classification of a team that gets home and away status,  previously I thought that a team like Arsenal would face PSG twice as we have been used to seeing home and away matches, but after I read your post I actually began to understand that actually each team will only play against one team once in this league phase, but for now what is still confusing to me is,  How many teams in each phase of the league are entitled to qualify for the next round, is it 1,2 or 3, like as determining the position of the teams  that are entitled to qualify for the Champions League zone in the domestic league?

[pusaka]

Over time, this new format will become commonplace and everyone will get used to watching their favorite team play 12 matches if they qualify for the final. This is especially fun for big games, but games involving non-favorite teams are likely to be missed.

More than 12 matches, in the first phase they will play 8 matches, in the knock out round until the final they will play 7 matches, meaning a total of 15 matches that they play, that is if they can successfully qualify for the knock out round without having to go through the play off round. If they have to go through the play off round first then it will add 2 matches, that becomes 17 matches that they will play. In the previous format previously we only saw 13 matches from the group stage to the final. It looks like it only added 2 or 4 more, but it has a big impact in my opinion. Because the schedule will be denser and they have to start adjusting to it. and not only that, because we will see many big matches even in the early phase or this league phase, it will drain their energy more.

[hahay]

Regardless of the new or old format, this certainly makes all teams have to maximize opportunities and minimize 1 match not to lose. What is clear is that the schedule is getting tighter, all players will be drained of energy. The slightest injury can have a big impact on the club's status for the next match.

Squad depth and quality will be a key factor in this new format of the competition because to avoid the tired legs and fatigue of players, coaches will need to involve in massive team rotation, and in this category is where teams like real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester city that have very good squad depth and quality players both on and off to pitch will thrive. The competition will be more competitive this time around and all coaches will be gearing up for it already.

There is some truth to it, perhaps with a new format like this it could provide a chance for other teams to win trophies, and not just about Real Madrid. It is certainly interesting and it is just that, perhaps we also need to adjust to this new format, which also seems to force each team to be able to maximize every match they play, not only relying on aggregate wins and or not relying on chances when playing at home and away. But indeed, the point would be better to be able to provide a chance for other teams or non-seeded teams to be able to have a chance to win trophies.

But even so, basically I also still believe, whatever format is applied, of course only top teams still have a chance to win trophies. But maybe, related to the top teams I mean is not only about Manchester City and Real Madrid,  because of course there are still other top teams that might have a better chance this season such as Juventus, Arsenal or maybe Liverpool and there are still several other top teams that are expected to win the Champions League trophy.

[Zanab247]

That is why this season teams with good squad depth will benefit because they will be able to rotate and maintain their performance. With the new format of UCL this season, the match schedule will be even denser, especially for clubs from England. This will make players vulnerable to injury and fatigue, making it difficult to show their best performance. Player rotation will be a very important thing that can determine the course of the match.

Player rotation is indeed important for every team, but the coaches of big teams such as the coaches of teams in the Premier League and also in the Spanish League must have prepared to welcome the new format this season so that they will continue to do their best even though it will be a bit different from last season because now each team must be able to adjust to a different format. But the big teams that already have strength through their mainstay players will still be good teams because they will not be weak just because of the new format this season.

Just like what Real Madrid did in this summer to brought in some good players that will add value to the team in this tournament, because their coach understand the system very well but there are some coaches that will feel comfortable with their old players without signing in new players just because they have won the trophy and they can still use the old players win this trophy. I have seen some signs early this season about some small teams that will surprise people in this tournament, because their coach has worked on them to challenge some strong teams like Manchester city, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Liverpool in this tournament.

With what happened to Real Madrid yesterday to draw the game with their opponent 1:1, it will make this UEFA champion league hard for them to win in this season.

[dezoel]

League phase finally starts as of September 17.    Let's have a look at what the biggest title contenders are doing recently.

Real Madrid couldn't make a good start. 2 draws in the La Liga already against very weak teams like Mallorca and Las Palmas... They still don't look ready for this season.    But as we are still talking about Ancelotti's Real Madrid, we never know. He is a mastermind. For example they weren't playing incredible here last season but Ancelotti still found a way to win that trophy.

Manchester City... They look just fine. Guardiola's system works like clockwork in the PL as always. Seeing them in the Champions League finale wouldn't be any surprise.

Arsenal are favoured even more than Bayern Munich. But I didn't like them in the CL last season. I don't see it the same way.

Usually bookies are having their own method of bringing teams as hot favourite if someone is not agreed with this it's never been issue we all know about the strength of these teams and POS and NEG as well so we can put them on better place instead of these bookies those are having usually trap odds for the peoples.

But here we have to understand few things as I agreed Real Madrid is having not good start of their new season and Mbappé is also failed to score any goal after three games which is surely strange, and Manchester City is still one of the best side in UEFA this is also fact, but I am surprised as we are missing few teams which are having better depth then Bayern Munich and Arsenal in this season.

After few games we will be having understanding of these teams about their chances in this season even I have strong feeling mostly usual teams will be able to have spots int next round because we are having good difference of quality between these teams.

[Abu-Naim]

Just like what Real Madrid did in this summer to brought in some good players that will add value to the team in this tournament, because their coach understand the system very well but there are some coaches that will feel comfortable with their old players without signing in new players just because they have won the trophy and they can still use the old players win this trophy. I have seen some signs early this season about some small teams that will surprise people in this tournament, because their coach has worked on them to challenge some strong teams like Manchester city, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Liverpool in this tournament.

Real Madrid have good winning records in the Champions League, they do always stand out in the Champions League’s games even if they are not in good form in their domestic league (Laliga).

This season’s Champions League comes with different format, it will be new to us all, but I think it is a good development to the Champions League organizers even though I don’t know how they come about these team pairings, but it is tough for almost all the groups and many big teams will face themselves and any team wining the Champions League this season will be indeed be a better team.

Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Leverkusen might standout again this season same as Barcelona too; it will be tough even if Madrid will win the Champions League.

With what happened to Real Madrid yesterday to draw the game with their opponent 1:1, it will make this UEFA champion league hard for them to win in this season.

I was surprised with the result because they are still playing against small teams in the Laliga, they haven’t started playing against the big teams; if they keep dropping points like this, wining the Bundesliga will be for Barcelona.

[BALIK]

Definitely a good thing that we are going to get some big teams playing against each other, it became a little bit boring when we are talking about something bigger, it wasn't something that we can agree with that easily, it is not going to be a fine situation and we need to do better.
Think about it, we have seen big clubs just destroy the smaller clubs in groups so far, which didn't make that much good tv, we still watched it, but I bet that when these big clubs play each other, there will be a lot more people tuning in. That means bigger audience, that means bigger tv rights deal, that means more tickets (or more expensive at least) and that means more merch sales for teams too.
These all point to making more money for every team and that is why I enjoy this new group stage system. Plus, you get to play two more extra games on top of all that, which means a lot more money too, and every team that joins this group stage, will make a lot of money and will do just fine.

The part where we are going to see big teams going against each other in the first round of the UEFA Champions League is actually what makes the new format very interesting if you ask me. The first time I saw how the new format, I was displeased with it as I thought it'll make the competition boring but considering the fact that we're now going to watch more matches as well see big teams clash against other big teams in the first round, I think we're likely to love the new format than the former.
As a Real Madrid fan, seeing that my club will have to play against big teams like Liverpool, AC Milan and even our last season UEFA Champions League final opponents Borussia Dortmund in the first round of the competition makes it more interesting

The new Champions League system looks a bit messy, with a bit too many games, yes we fans love watching high-voltage matches, and UCL games under the lights but the players will go through tough times to keep up with tight schedules, as there are extra games now.

More money, more games. I think that is the simple explanation of the whole new system. This will drain the players more, but I think this ensures more business. Bigger clubs will always have an advantage though, for having enough squad depth that most lower teams won't have.

But this season should be exciting, starting of a new era of UCL.

[tiCeR]

...

The new Champions League system looks a bit messy, with a bit too many games, yes we fans love watching high-voltage matches, and UCL games under the lights but the players will go through tough times to keep up with tight schedules, as there are extra games now.

More money, more games. I think that is the simple explanation of the whole new system. This will drain the players more, but I think this ensures more business. Bigger clubs will always have an advantage though, for having enough squad depth that most lower teams won't have.

But this season should be exciting, starting of a new era of UCL.

It does look messy and not to forget that I am sure everyone remembers how one was looking forward to the final Champions League rounds because it was something special. I admit that sometimes the pre-round was a bit boring, but still everyone was enjoying the final round. Now it is so packed and I wonder how many subscriptions you need in order to be able to watch all the games you want.

It has been the same with the UEFA Nations League back at the time. Big names, but not really big games... All these top teams like France, England etc. they didn't play very well in that competition. It was as if they didn't care sometimes and I can understand that. Their focus are the tournaments like World Cup and Copa America and European Championship and the other continental competitions, but nobody really cared about the Nations League.

That is why I think having these top games from the first day into the competition is not what I deem to be the perfect approach. It was great to see big teams get into trouble during the group stage because the underdogs caused them some huge problems. I think they argue that some of the weaker teams should have a chance, too, but so far I think it was already the case that some of the underdogs were in the final rounds. But now it is what it is.

I am asking myself how people manage their lives when they are basketball, ice hockey and football fans. Watch a few hundred games per year!

[Dzwaafu11]

Just like what Real Madrid did in this summer to brought in some good players that will add value to the team in this tournament, because their coach understand the system very well but there are some coaches that will feel comfortable with their old players without signing in new players just because they have won the trophy and they can still use the old players win this trophy. I have seen some signs early this season about some small teams that will surprise people in this tournament, because their coach has worked on them to challenge some strong teams like Manchester city, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Liverpool in this tournament.

With what happened to Real Madrid yesterday to draw the game with their opponent 1:1, it will make this UEFA champion league hard for them to win in this season.

Sure. I just feel like Ancelloti knows very well that every team, both big and small, will be ready for this season, and that is why he quickly took some necessary action to make Real Madrid stronger. Clubs have started showing how good and strong they will be performing in this season. I feel like even the big teams we are expecting to easily top the league will find it challenging to do that this time.

Moreover, at first I was expecting Real Madrid to be at the top of the league at a very early stage of the season, but I’m still yet to see their progress this season. 

[Asiska02]

That is why this season teams with good squad depth will benefit because they will be able to rotate and maintain their performance. With the new format of UCL this season, the match schedule will be even denser, especially for clubs from England. This will make players vulnerable to injury and fatigue, making it difficult to show their best performance. Player rotation will be a very important thing that can determine the course of the match.

Player rotation is indeed important for every team, but the coaches of big teams such as the coaches of teams in the Premier League and also in the Spanish League must have prepared to welcome the new format this season so that they will continue to do their best even though it will be a bit different from last season because now each team must be able to adjust to a different format. But the big teams that already have strength through their mainstay players will still be good teams because they will not be weak just because of the new format this season.

Exactly, this new format will still favour the big teams and the smaller teams won’t be able to achieve from this format. Players in big team are already built through vigorous training, so going through the long process of the champions league won’t be too much on them, they can play long and can also easily rotate their players with competent players still on bench to take on when the main players are out tired or injured or fatigued. Many teams are already preparing for this and it’s good they started early so that they can get to adopt easily to the new format. This is going to be an interesting champions league, the one that we haven’t experienced before.

[beerlover]

Obviously Lille won in the end, this match was easy to predict, it's no coincidence that the bookmakers obviously gave Lille the win. I included this game in a multiple just to increase the multiplier a little. Unfortunately I thought they would win away from home too, it was very close if you want, 2-1 and Lille risked winning again.

To be fair Prague played as good as they possibly could, and even won the game itself, and they lost only because of the aggregate, which is why Lille will be going to UCL instead. Which is good for France but also bad, good because having a team at UCL is a good thing, but also bad because they will probably lose a lot, they are not good enough to beat many teams, which is bad for their national co-efficiency, if Lille was at Europa they would have won a lot more, and it would have bene good for their co-effiency instead.

That's the good and bad side of UCL entry, you end up making so much more money, just being in the group stages of UCL could give you more money than going to finals at Europa, so money is more important and everyone wants to be there, but then you lose a bunch of games and that's a bad thing for morale and for the nation and for the club as well. I would still prefer UCL though, who could say no to that much money in the end, football requires a lot of money.

[jostorres]

Regardless of the new or old format, this certainly makes all teams have to maximize opportunities and minimize 1 match not to lose. What is clear is that the schedule is getting tighter, all players will be drained of energy. The slightest injury can have a big impact on the club's status for the next match.

Squad depth and quality will be a key factor in this new format of the competition because to avoid the tired legs and fatigue of players, coaches will need to involve in massive team rotation, and in this category is where teams like real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester city that have very good squad depth and quality players both on and off to pitch will thrive. The competition will be more competitive this time around and all coaches will be gearing up for it already.

Usually in few things these big clubs always having good advantage because they are having enough players to settle for replacements, and they can give their first choice players rest which bring good depth in their performance their rotation is also always works for them because with this all players are able to have good playing time which bring good results and this is also always good for their check and balance when they can bring which player for having good performance.

Average clubs are usually having troubling time because once they lost one or two players due to injury they are having things from bad to worse and things are never been easy to have positive change for them just because of problems like these we have terrible end of many clubs in their leagues.

[Obari]

Sure. I just feel like Ancelloti knows very well that every team, both big and small, will be ready for this season, and that is why he quickly took some necessary action to make Real Madrid stronger. Clubs have started showing how good and strong they will be performing in this season. I feel like even the big teams we are expecting to easily top the league will find it challenging to do that this time.

Moreover, at first I was expecting Real Madrid to be at the top of the league at a very early stage of the season, but I’m still yet to see their pro6gress this season. 

Progress can be accomplished only when a club unites and play collective pattern of football, having everything within their possession and exploring opportunities that would bring in improvement and titles. The archives of clubs shouldn't be under
Real Madrid have amazing players in the club and there are few that are injured. Los Blancos just have to do what they think is right because winning is compulsory for an elite club like Real Madrid.

Expecting an elite club like Real Madrid to be topping the La Liga table this season, remember the odds are likely to be small regarding the outstanding performance and game stats of other clubs, like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid players have to really worked on themselves and besides, Carlo Ancelotti needs to make appropriate changes inother to correct the wrong dimensional movement of the club's patterns.

[Hyphen(-)]

Over time, this new format will become commonplace and everyone will get used to watching their favorite team play 12 matches if they qualify for the final. This is especially fun for big games, but games involving non-favorite teams are likely to be missed.

I think the matches to be played are more than 12. The draw and grouping matches will be 12 while for teams that were able to qualify to the round of 16, the normal process of elimination will be in place. These new format is just to kill the idea of playing each teams home and away which is very ok because some teams are taking advantage of their home stadium and some referees do also give home advantages. Moreover, this new format will give the title to the best team because squad depth will be a key component in the competition because all the teams will also be playing their domestic leagues and the Champions League.

[Egii Nna]

Regardless of the new or old format, this certainly makes all teams have to maximize opportunities and minimize 1 match not to lose. What is clear is that the schedule is getting tighter, all players will be drained of energy. The slightest injury can have a big impact on the club's status for the next match.

Squad depth and quality will be a key factor in this new format of the competition because to avoid the tired legs and fatigue of players, coaches will need to involve in massive team rotation, and in this category is where teams like real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester city that have very good squad depth and quality players both on and off to pitch will thrive. The competition will be more competitive this time around and all coaches will be gearing up for it already.

The new format will be of good advantage to the player off the pitch, but this might be a problem for teams with poor squad depth and less quality players off the pitch, thereby giving opportunities to teams with good squad depth and quality players like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester City, making them dominate and win more trophies. So I think this new format will not be of favor to teams with less quality players off the pitch and will be of great favor to the teams with good quality players off the pitch. So it will be interesting to see how the teams with less quality players overcome this problem and be able to strive in their games.

[LUCKMCFLY]

Teams need to adapt to new format even if it is complicated. Group stage now has 8 games instead of 6 which is good change. Some teams like Celtic and Leipzig got lucky or unlucky with their schedule. To move forward teams need to get at least 7.6 points so winning at home and drawing is important. But extra games and rounds might be tiring for teams. We will have to wait and see if this new format works well or not but it is definitely an interesting try that will keep us interested.

I also agree that this means we'll have more football, therefore there are more bets, we also have to understand that sometimes new things can Affect us , and that's normal , but I'm sure that this Year, as they are doing it , will be a period of acceptance and getting used to how it will be now, both for us as fans and also for the Teams that are the ones that live the experience more thoroughly , however , it is more exhausting for the players because there are more games, so it may also affect them in their local leagues, but well, it's a matter of raising the level and that we could all have a better experience , I am delighted with these Changes, really.

[lizarder]

I think the matches to be played are more than 12. The draw and grouping matches will be 12 while for teams that were able to qualify to the round of 16, the normal process of elimination will be in place. These new format is just to kill the idea of playing each teams home and away which is very ok because some teams are taking advantage of their home stadium and some referees do also give home advantages. Moreover, this new format will give the title to the best team because squad depth will be a key component in the competition because all the teams will also be playing their domestic leagues and the Champions League.

A strong team and with a squad depth of substitute players owned by a particular team will be very important because the large number of games will give the team the opportunity to rotate. The problem is that the Champions League is not the only competition that is followed and if a player gets injured and there are no good substitutes it will affect the results. That is why teams that have top players and have good substitutes will have their own advantages.

A new format like this is difficult at first but over time you will get used to it and most teams will have to follow the rules. Let's see how the rule will work, whether it will affect strong teams or will it actually benefit them greatly when facing competition.

[rendravolt]

Okay now let's see who Manchester City's opponents are in the league format later and as it turns out, Pep Guardiola's squad will face relatively easy opponents again.

It's no wonder that The Citizen will qualify so easily and whether it's a home or away game, it won't be difficult for them at all. Pep Guardiola's strategy, which is famous for its ball possession, will certainly be very difficult to stop, especially since short passes and tight pressing are also part of it.

I think maybe the most troublesome opponent later will be Inter and as we remember, the two last met in the 2023 Champions League final and this will be proof again who is the strongest. In addition, maybe Juventus is also worth considering, especially under Thiago Motta's guidance, they are starting to show promise. I forgot PSG because they are not a strong enough opponent for Manchester City.

[OcTradism]

Okay now let's see who Manchester City's opponents are in the league format later and as it turns out, Pep Guardiola's squad will face relatively easy opponents again.

It's no wonder that The Citizen will qualify so easily and whether it's a home or away game, it won't be difficult for them at all. Pep Guardiola's strategy, which is famous for its ball possession, will certainly be very difficult to stop, especially since short passes and tight pressing are also part of it.

It's can be easy opponents and matches in first phase but the importance is when Manchester City go to further phases with knock out format, what opponents will be. To win Champions League, a champion must beat most of strongest teams in Europe but let's say it more deeply. Most of strongest opponents but not all strongest opponents in Europe, and if Manchester City can avoid as many strongest teams as possible in their way to a final match, it's better.

Your post looks to be a troll on why Manchester City got easy journeys in Champions League recent seasons. Something like manipulation from UEFA in their draws recent years but it's conspiracy theory, and so far without leaked information, with what we had, no way to prove this theory is true.

Overviews on their matches in league phase are like this for teams in Pot 1, Pot 2, Pot 3 and Pot 4. Source is from UEFA

[xzone]

I think the matches to be played are more than 12. The draw and grouping matches will be 12 while for teams that were able to qualify to the round of 16, the normal process of elimination will be in place. These new format is just to kill the idea of playing each teams home and away which is very ok because some teams are taking advantage of their home stadium and some referees do also give home advantages. Moreover, this new format will give the title to the best team because squad depth will be a key component in the competition because all the teams will also be playing their domestic leagues and the Champions League.

A strong team and with a squad depth of substitute players owned by a particular team will be very important because the large number of games will give the team the opportunity to rotate. The problem is that the Champions League is not the only competition that is followed and if a player gets injured and there are no good substitutes it will affect the results. That is why teams that have top players and have good substitutes will have their own advantages.

A new format like this is difficult at first but over time you will get used to it and most teams will have to follow the rules. Let's see how the rule will work, whether it will affect strong teams or will it actually benefit them greatly when facing competition.

It will take time to get used to the new format. Most people could not understand the logic of the new format. More competitive and different matches will be waiting for us now. No one will be able to say that we will win the match at our home field like in the past, every match will be very valuable and we will be able to see the home advantage very clearly especially in the matches between strong teams and weak teams.
I hope it will be more entertaining this way, we can see results that will be worth the change of the system that has been the same for years