I am not a fan
of the current format of the Champions’ League. There, I said it. Look, I
understand the logistics of trying to fit in eight two legged knockout ties and
the obviously financial importance of the Global TV audience. But, creating a
schedule that features 16 different games on eight different match days, spread
over five weeks is just bad planning. It dilutes the excitement and breaks up
the momentum. Fans want to see the knockout rounds take place in fewer
installments, over two pairs of days, just like the regular group stage, with 4
matches on each day. Under the current format, teams play their first legs on
Feb 12/13 and then their second legs on March 5/6. For the teams that kick off their
ties on Feb 19/20, they don’t play again till March 12/13. Where is the
continuity, why make fans wait for so long?
Moreover, even
in the knockout stages, there appears to be a glass ceiling forming. There is a
division between a set of teams who are always in the running and who will win
the tournament one of these years, and another set of consistent also-rans who
may get to the latter stages but will never challenge. This is because the former
group will simply acquire the best talent from the latter group. As a result,
despite being close to the finished product, the teams in the second group will
rarely, if ever, get to add the final pieces to their teams and will almost
never hold on to their entire rosters, serving instead as high level finishing
schools for their up and coming players. It’s not ideal, and FFP or not, there
is little that can be done to alleviate this trend. It must get a little
frustrating for a team of exciting young talent or a cohesive unit of players,
to build on a few years of teamwork and progress, reach the last 16 or eight of
the Champions’ League and then get raided by one of the bigger teams.
Focussing on
this season’s tournament, the usual suspects remain with Bayern Munich and
Barcelona, still smarting from their shock losses, in successive rounds last
year, to Chelsea. A deep run beckons for both, assuming they avoid each other
in the draw. This column anoints them as the favourites at this point, all the
while realising how unoriginal that declaration may be. This column likes to
think it’s self aware. With two of the most dangerous teams - a resurgent Real
and a revitalised Manchester United - squaring off against each other, it’s a
win-win situation for everyone else as one heavyweight will get eliminated
before the quarterfinals. Further
afield, Barcelona’s seemingly annual set of ties against Milan will showcase
just how far the Rossoneri have fallen, while Bayern’s tie against Arsenal, is
surely a formality. With Europe’s most consistent qualifier from the Champions
League, seemingly in terminal decline, this may be Arsenal’s last appearance in
the knockout stages of Europe’s top tournament for a few years.
A neutral’s
dream sees Borussia Dortmund and Shakhtar Donetsk play out arguably the most
mouth-watering tie in years, as both clubs bring well drilled rosters bursting
at the seams with exciting talent and an expansive style of play. No doubt, a summer of potential sales awaits both
teams. Elsewhere several other ties
showcase the unpredictability and excitement of the tournament with Juventus taking
on Celtic; Malaga, financially shackled of late but not unbowed, lining up
against Porto; PSG versus Valencia and interestingly Galatasaray playing Schalke.
Spain continues its dominance with four teams in the last 16, but Germany,
after several lean seasons in Europe, has now provided three. England, who used
to come up with four participants in the knockout stages, almost annually, has
seen its contribution shrink to just the original big two of Arsenal and
Manchester United – both Chelsea and Manchester City didn’t make it past the
group stage. Italy returns just two sides and both teams, Milan and Juventus, erstwhile
giants of the game, are outside bets, at most, for the trophy. Among the most
consistent participants, Porto return to the knockout stages after a few
seasons spent dominating the Europa League, while newly minted PSG are building
on their new owner’s promise of competing in the Champions’ League. They look
to be a fixture at this stage for years to come.
All in all, a
very favourable draw for both Barcelona and Bayern, whom many will be hoping to
see in the final in May as they are currently Europe’s two best teams. Still,
stranger things have happened and nothing is certain; while it is highly
unlikely that both teams will get knocked out by Milan and Arsenal
respectively, it is possible. So, initial scheduling and parity gripes aside,
it’s good to have the Champions’ League back and fans worldwide await the
continuation of the best soccer competition in the World.