Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has appeared in the new Champions League format this season in the wake of the first edition of the 'League phase' approaching this week.
UEFA has arranged its competition for the club's prime minister this season, destroying the group's phase in favor of a single league table and increasing the number of pre-batch matches from six to eight.
“Many matches,” was the answer that Ancelotti gave to reporters Wednesday night when asked about his rating in the new League phase format.
Ancelotti denied that increased demand has had a negatively negative impact on Madrid specially but repeated a Long view that elite football needs fewer games.
“There were many, but for everyone,” he said. “And, at this moment in football, we have to remove the matches, not add more. That's my opinion.”
In previous seasons, the two best teams in each group qualified for the last 16. This time, only the top eight in the League phase were guaranteed a place in that round. The next 16 finishes, which includes Madrid After some disappointing results, you must first navigate a two-legged play-off.
Adds even more matches. To reach the final this season, Madrid would have to play four times more than those in 2023/24. The final would be one of the 17th Champions League Game for them this season, compared to what was the 13th last season.
The new World Club Cup with 32 FIFA teams still stands in front of Madrid during the summer, extending the club season in July. FIFA also added the intercontinental cup on the calendar in December.
When UEFA increased the number of Champions League revenues from 24 to 32 to 1999, a second stage of the group was created that added six additional matches for competitive clubs, up to 17 in total for finalists. Replacing the second phase of the group with the last 16 in 2003 significantly reduced the requirements and automatically received four overtime matches. But, 21 years later, UEFA once again decided more football, Despite calls against himIt was the way to go.
Due to their deployment in the League stage, the 11th, Madrid have a 50/50 chance to face Manchester City perennial enemies in the Play-off Nokau round. But Ancelotti is actually not very concerned about this, admitting that in order to win the competition, it is necessary to cope with the larger sides at one point, whether later below the line or in the near future.
“There will be a draw and whatever comes, there is not much change: to win the Champions League, you have to beat the biggest teams,” he said.