The UEFA Champions League 2024-2025 Draw: A New Format and Controversies
The draw for the UEFA Champions League 2024-2025 took place in Monaco on August 29th, unveiling a new format for the European tournament. The UEFA has introduced a revamped structure with more teams and high-profile matches right from the early stages. However, this new format has not convinced international media.
The international press remains skeptical following the draw of the Champions League on August 29th. The new competition format devised by UEFA is seen as a 'clear break,' as described by Le Soir, marking the 'most radical reform of the last twenty years' with 'more matches and more high-profile encounters.'
The 'Swiss' system, originally created for a Swiss chess championship in the late 19th century, integrates 36 teams into a single group where each team will play eight matches. After this mini-league, the top eight teams will directly qualify for the round of 16, while the next 16 teams will compete in the equivalent of the round of 32.
In the UK, The Independent laments a system that favors the biggest clubs, likening it to a Super League substitute, a competition that several rogue clubs attempted to launch in 2021. The complexity of the new format has led UEFA to computerize most of the process, resulting in what the Tribune de Genève describes as a ceremony that seemed to spit out a mishmash of matches.
Most articles agree on one thing: Paris Saint-Germain has a tough draw. The French champions will face challenging opponents like Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Atlético Madrid, leading to what ESPN in the US calls a 'perilous' schedule. The Athletic notes that PSG has landed 'the toughest draw' among the title contenders, making their journey even more intriguing.
