What do you think?
I think it’s better and I’d use it for the league cup next year, not that we’ll be in it obviously.
I think it’s better and I’d use it for the league cup next year, not that we’ll be in it obviously.
Champions league format
- Thread starter Purple & Green
- Start date
Two Headed Boy
Private Member
I like it. It seems fairer on the wee teams.
Hearts really fucked it in the Conference version but even they came close to progressing. Fingers crossed we can keep creeping up the league and have a bash at it next season.
Hearts really fucked it in the Conference version but even they came close to progressing. Fingers crossed we can keep creeping up the league and have a bash at it next season.
I think it's terrible. No fairness whatsoever. Then add on the play-off part adding to an already packed schedule. Fucking daft.
The fairness thing...I think you often get easy groups and hard groups, and this bypasses that by giving all teams a spread of everyone to play against once?
But you don't play everyone. And you could have Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool away and get pumped. I just don't like it. Bring back the group stages I say.
Bangkokhibby
Private Member
Bring back the European cup. League winners only. Binning this was just another step on the path to ruining football through tv money.
Two Headed Boy
Private Member
The points earned going into a table seems better to me though. It avoids the situation where a team in one group can scrape a few draws and finish second on goal difference and progress ahead of a team who actually won a couple and accrued more points but finished third in another.
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It's still seeded though, so in theory you get a spread - and the scenario you're saying wouldn't happen?
I do miss the old days of the European Cup for league champs only and the cup winners cup. Or in Scotland as it was known the cup losers cup.
Incredible really with the level playing field Real Madrid are so dominant. It's almost as if it's set up for their benefit.
Looking back at the European Cup, after Real Madrids initial dominance it was a pretty open competition from 1960 to 1997 with 21 different winners in 37 years.
In the 28 years since there's been 10 different winners - and only Man City and Chelsea winning the trophy for the first time. The last time a new team won before Man City was Chelsea in 2012 and before that Borussia Dortmund in 1997.
1997 was the last year that is winners only. Coincidence - I think not.
Incredible really with the level playing field Real Madrid are so dominant. It's almost as if it's set up for their benefit.
Looking back at the European Cup, after Real Madrids initial dominance it was a pretty open competition from 1960 to 1997 with 21 different winners in 37 years.
In the 28 years since there's been 10 different winners - and only Man City and Chelsea winning the trophy for the first time. The last time a new team won before Man City was Chelsea in 2012 and before that Borussia Dortmund in 1997.
1997 was the last year that is winners only. Coincidence - I think not.
I liked the format then too but of course, am not blind to the financial reasons they changed it. I've always quibbled about the title of it - how can it be a 'Champions League' if most of the teams are also-rans in their own leagues?
In the old format, it allowed for more variety of clubs to win the competition. Over a two-leg tie you could always turn somebody over if you had form with you. Nowadays, this endless league process just sees lesser teams or smaller clubs worn down.
When the European Cup came to this city two years running it was amazing - just mind-blowing. It did so much for the city.
vasco de gama
Private Member
Yeah these statistics really paint the picture. Same is probably true with most the domestic leagues. We know in Scotland we've only had the uglies winning it since 1997. Wonder what the variety is in the other European leagues.
joethehibby
Private Member
You can have winners who weren’t champions in the first place, ludicrous . At least needs re-named the possibly not champions league . The whole farce is to try and prevent a breakaway ( from uefa run competitions by the BIG boys 
Technically you could be champions of Europe but never been champions of your country . Its shite , i wouldn't turn the tv on to watch it . Be as well watching RanticYou can have winners who weren’t champions in the first place, ludicrous . At least needs re-named the possibly not champions league . The whole farce is to try and prevent a breakaway ( from uefa run competitions by the BIG boys
That's exactly the reason it was changed. Can't have wee diddy teams winning what rightfully belongs to Real Madrid. Big teams getting knocked out early doors. TV companies won't like that.
Haven't watched it for years. You can pretty much predict the quarter finalists each year before a ball has been kicked. Same mega-clubs playing each other on repeat. Utter wank.
Keithd1875
Well-Known Radge
I'm sure AC Milan played real Madrid in the first round might have been late 80s early 90s and the chairmen/owners got together and said this is crazy we need to change it
Green juventine
Private Member
Professional sport is just part of the entertainment business now. For whatever reason some teams have a global appeal. Sometimes brought on by an exceptional player, e.g. Ronaldo or Messi and the TV companies fall over themselves to get a piece of the action. I am baffled as to why we get so much of the EPL on here and who is watching it in great numbers. I do think the broadcasters have a huge influence over how these competitions pan out. Maybe that is the way it should be? Give the punters what they want, a Real Madrid v Liverpool final or whatever teams are in vogue at the time.
joethehibby
Private Member
So what we have is a tournament which starts out with 36 times, everyone has to play eight games just to get rid of 12 of the 36 then the bottom 16 play off to get eight teams and get rid of another eight which then have a knockout round of the last sixteen. As the guy in the advert says , what a load of baloney . They could have it all done and dusted after eight games each . Even less if they only used CHAMPIONS of the countries 
All in the quest to stop a breakaway . JOKE
All in the quest to stop a breakaway . JOKE
kaimendhibs
Private Member
No interest. Its not a champions league in any way
joethehibby
Private Member
Would you believe it is possible that seven english teams could be in the champions league next year . Farsical 
Does that suggest its the top performing league in Europe or are they cheating ??Would you believe it is possible that seven english teams could be in the champions league next year . Farsical
joethehibby
Private Member
The point being it’s ridiculous to have that many teams from ANY country in the so called CHAMPIONS league
Aye but why are England getting more places than anyone else ??The point being it’s ridiculous to have that many teams from ANY country in the so called CHAMPIONS league
joethehibby
Private Member
Not getting but possible by winning the lesser tournaments this season, no sure just what was getting said on SSN
emerald green
Private Member
because they can attract the best foreigners as they have more cash than anyone else. Probably.
theyre doing nothing wrong in getting the extra place in the next comp.
Bangkokhibby
Private Member
A bigger pool of tv viewers worldwide?
However you work it out it's time to remove the word 'Champions' from the competition. Or just start the bloody European super league.
Greenmachine
Private Member
Not really interested in the Champions League, but I was watching a discussion on Sky Sports a couple of days ago about this new "format".
I didn't have a clue what they were talking about.
Honestly, I couldn't understand what this new "format" was all about.
Football at the top level is a joke now. A total farce.
I didn't have a clue what they were talking about.
Honestly, I couldn't understand what this new "format" was all about.
Football at the top level is a joke now. A total farce.
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You could make the spl a lot more interesting with play offs and a final
Once the money people realize it would also make more money, then you might see it happen
Once the money people realize it would also make more money, then you might see it happen
But not if it could have even an iota of a chance of teams getting a champs league spot in front of the bigots.
It would be looked over in every detail, as soon as it showed it could possibly result in the bigots losing 1 or even 2 top 2 spots it would be shut down.
They DO NOT want more competition although they blame the lack off for their euro humilities
