The Real Madrid Carlo Ancelotti trainer ended in the New Champions League format this season after the first edition of the “League Phase” this week.
The UEFA has revised its Premier Club competition this season, scrapped the group stage in favor of a single league in favor and increased the number of pre-health officers of six to eight.
“Too many games” was the answer that Ancelotti gave to reporters on Wednesday evening when he was asked about the new league phase format.
Ancelotti denied that the increased demand had particularly negatively negative on Madrid, but repeated a long -term view that elite football needs fewer games.
“There were too many, but for everyone,” he said. “And at that moment in football we have to remove games, no longer add. That is my opinion.”
In the past seasons, the two best teams of each group qualified for the last 16. This time only the top eight in the league has been guaranteed a place in this round. The next 16 finisher, to which Madrid belongs after several disappointing results, must first navigate in a two-legged play-off.
It adds even more agreement to the schedule. In order to reach the final again this season, Madrid has to play four times more than in 2023/24. The final would be a 17th Champions League game for you this season compared to the 13th of last season.
The new FIFA Club World Championship with 32 teams is still ahead of Madrid in summer and extends the club season to July. FIFA also added the Intercontinental Cup to the calendar in December.
When the UEFA increased the number of participants in the Champions League from 24 to 32 in 1999, a second group stage was created in which six additional games for the competing clubs were added, up to 17 for the finalists. The replacement of the second group phase by the last 16 in 2003 significantly reduced the requirements and automatically took four games out of the schedule. 21 years later, Uefa again decided that more football was the right way despite the calls.
Due to her placement in the league phase, the 11th place, Madrid has a 50/50 chance to stand in the Knockout-Play-off round after several years of enemies. But Ancelotti has not taken care of it too much and recognizes that it is necessary to be seen at some point, regardless of whether it can be seen later or in the near future, to win the competition.
“There will be a tie and whatever comes. Not many changes: To win the Champions League, they have to beat the biggest teams,” he said.