Carlo Ancelotti criticises new Champions League format
- Carlo Ancelotti spoke of his disdain for this season’s Champions League format
- New league phase has added two extra games to pre-knockout stage
- Real Madrid must now play in additional knockout play-off round before last 16
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has hit out at this season’s new Champions League format in the wake of the first edition of the ‘league phase’ coming to a close this week.
UEFA has overhauled its premier club competition this season, scrapping the เล่นบาคาร่า UFABET เว็บตรง ค่าคอมสูง group stage in favour of a single league table and increasing the number of pre-knockout fixtures from six to eight.
“Too many matches,” was the response Ancelotti gave to reporters on Wednesday night when asked for his assessment on the new league phase format.
Ancelotti denied the increased demand has had a disproportionately negative impact on Madrid specifically, but reiterated a longstanding view that elite football needs fewer games.
“There have been too many, but for everyone,” he said. “And, at this moment in football, we have to remove matches, not add more. That’s my opinion.”
In previous seasons, the top two teams in each group qualified for the last 16. This time around, only the top eight in the league phase were guaranteed a place in that round. The next 16 finishers, which includes Madrid after several disappointing results, first must navigate a two-legged play-off instead.
“Too many matches,” was the response Ancelotti gave to reporters on Wednesday night when asked for his assessment on the new league phase format.
Ancelotti denied the increased demand has had a disproportionately negative impact on Madrid specifically, but reiterated a longstanding view that elite football needs fewer games.
“There have been too many, but for everyone,” he said. “And, at this moment in football, we have to remove matches, not add more. That’s my opinion.”
In previous seasons, the top two teams in each group qualified for the last 16. This time around, only the top eight in the league phase were guaranteed a place in that round. The next 16 finishers, which includes Madrid after several disappointing results, first must navigate a two-legged play-off instead.
Due to their placing in the league phase, 11th. Madrid have a 50/50 chance of facing perennial foes Manchester City in the knockout play-off round. But Ancelotti isn’t actually too bothered about that, acknowledging that to win the competition. It is necessary to face the biggest sides at some point regardless, whether it be later down the line or in the immediate future.
“There will be a draw and whatever comes, comes. Not much changes: to win the Champions League, you have to beat the biggest teams,” he said.