I know we have all talked about this at some point this season, but I thought I’d create a thread to both share an in depth explanation of the leaked/proposed format, and start a discussion of its implications for Sevilla FC.
First, as an American (estadounidense, for you Spaniards who are somehow hurt by the former term), the idea of this being like Tennis or a Swiss model… frankly make no sense to me. However, I think a simpler way to explain it to Yanks like me is that it’s more or less like March Madness. A tournament with brackets where you spread out the seeds to try and ensure a final with the strongest teams rather than ending up with the strongest teams facing each other in the Round of 16 or something.
I personally don’t have a strong opinion, but see it as a trade-off between two factors. The competitiveness factor, that I just described, and the logistics factor. I suspect that teams will like the change mostly, in the sense that it allows for a bit more forward planning. The team can make a reservation for hotels in two different cities and cancel one, instead of having to make 7 reservations (or more likely scramble to pull it together last minute). Obviously a hotel is a minor logistics cost for the team, but I think it’s just the general principle of this model allowing for a bit more forward planning.
I suspect some folks will be opposed on the ground of “it takes away the magic of the draw each round”, which I guess I understand. But anyone who has seen March Madness knows that it is far from lacking in magic. And I think the seeds actually create an even stronger storyline when a team can “overcome the odds”.
As much as I am one of the fools watching the draw, I can’t imagine there is that much money coming in for those draws. Plus, surely the new format has plenty of new sources of cash for UEFA to make up for it.
Alright, y’all. Now that the group phase of Champions League is over. I want your take on this new format. What’s the upside? And the downside?
I have generally heard people reviewing the group phase favorably, and I think I agree, although of course I haven’t been watching it. Seems like folks are enjoying getting more matchups between the giants from the very beginning.
I think the very clear upside for the UEFA TV rights holder and such…is both the above, but also one other distinction…if you look at who goes through in this format, I think it’s going to consistently be the giants. Very very difficult for a medium level squad like Sevilla or Girona to play consistently well against rivals in that table for months on end. Which translates into only big budget squads in the knockout round.
Again, great for casual viewers and for the viewership numbers, but not so great for Cinderella teams and their viewing fans…or those of us who just enjoy watching a big surprise team knock out a giant.
Am I wrong to have mixed feelings? Most people seem to be raving, but mostly I’ve been talking to casual fans of “soccer” here in the US…
I think this format is more interesting, especially for the fact that there’s one-off games with certain teams and you don’t have to play a ‘weak’ team twice.
If we’ll somehow make to to Conference or Europa League for next season, I’d be happy facing 6-8 different teams and having a prolonged group stage.
This way even the knockout stage will be more interesting, considering that the lesser team will have to really fight for a spot…
