The new Champions League format

[Cooperman]

It all kicks off this evening and I quite like the look of the format, it’s certainly refreshing after however many years of groups of four and dead rubbers. I also like the fact that there is no waterfall into the Europa League if a team fails, it’s shape up or go home. Same concept applies to Europa League and Conference League. TNS are away to Fiorentina in their first Conference League game, stuff of dreams for them.

 

[Ringwood]

One step nearer a euro super league

 

[Cooperman]

One step nearer a euro super league

I hope it’s a case of meet somewhere in the middle and put the idea of breakaway league to bed, at least for a few years.

 

[JustJack]

Two groups of 18 would have been just as good

Everyone is going to play at the same time on the last match day!

 

[Cooperman]

Two groups of 18 would have been just as good

Everyone is going to play at the same time on the last match day!

That’s what happens on last day of Premier League, last game of World Cup group stages, etc.

 

[Swanjaxs]

Apparently 9pts will practically be enough to progress to the knockout stages, Celtic should be in with a decent shout with thier home ties against the weaker opposition in thier pool...

 

[Cooperman]

Apparently 9pts will practically be enough to progress to the knockout stages, Celtic should be in with a decent shout with thier home ties against the weaker opposition in thier pool...

I think this first phase goes on until end of January, much longer than the group stages which were done and dusted by middle of December. Three wins, nine points on the board, get a good draw in the knockout phase play-off and then it’s a shot at the big time in round of 16.

 

[Andrew - North Hill]

TNT commentary last night said it was 16 pts to get a top 8 slot and 10 for a play off round (9th-24th) - everyone else goes home, as Cooperman said in the original post.

No idea how the feck they get to that point mind.

 

[Cooperman]

TNT commentary last night said it was 16 pts to get a top 8 slot and 10 for a play off round (9th-24th) - everyone else goes home, as Cooperman said in the original post.

No idea how the feck they get to that point mind.

In a nutshell… 36 teams divided into four buckets (being careful not to use the word ‘groups’), each then assigned four home and four away games (based on UEFA rankings to a degree), and then all results thrown together in a 36 team league table.

 

[monmouth]

TNT commentary last night said it was 16 pts to get a top 8 slot and 10 for a play off round (9th-24th) - everyone else goes home, as Cooperman said in the original post.

No idea how the feck they get to that point mind.

I had to count 9th-24th on my fingers

 

[JustJack]

That’s what happens on last day of Premier League, last game of World Cup group stages, etc.

Right but not with 36 teams!

20 in the EPL and at most 4 in the world cup

 

[Swanjaxs]

Absolutely loving this new format bhoys

 

[Smurph]

Absolutely loving this new format bhoys

Celtic have been outstanding this season.

 

[Swanjaxs]

Celtic have been outstanding this season.

They have in fairness, and have to say Arne Engles is an upgrade on Matt O'Riley!
Fair play cracking goal by Slovan then

 

[Smurph]

They have in fairness, and have to say Arne Engles is an upgrade on Matt O'Riley!
Fair play cracking goal by Slovan then

Matt who?

It was a cracking toe punt