On January 30, 2025, the UEFA Champions League group stage concluded with 24 teams advancing to the knockout rounds. This new format, featuring 36 teams in a single league table, has seen a mixture of opinions from football writers.
Gabriele Marcotti viewed the new format positively, highlighting the opportunities it provides for smaller teams and the excitement of more matches between top clubs. Mark Ogden, however, criticized the slow start to the competition and emphasized the need for higher intensity from big clubs. James Olley expressed concerns about the extended schedule affecting player welfare, while Rob Dawson felt that the increase in games may have diluted the overall quality.
Beth Lindop acknowledged the need for a change in the Champions League format but noted that the levels of jeopardy may have been reduced initially. Dale Johnson highlighted the increased competitiveness for mid-sized and smaller clubs, with the format allowing for more surprises and upsets.
In terms of winners and losers, Ogden pointed out the financial gains for clubs and the increased opportunities for less successful teams. Marcotti mentioned the importance of the seeding system, while Lindop expressed reservations about the qualification process. Dawson highlighted Manchester City as beneficiaries of the safety net for big clubs, and Olley noted the increased workload for club analysts.
Suggestions for improvement included Marcotti’s idea of allowing top seeds to choose their opponents, while Lindop proposed a more straightforward qualification process. Ogden emphasized the need for a more condensed schedule, while Dawson recommended reducing the number of teams to enhance the overall quality of competition. Johnson advocated for removing safety nets for big teams to increase the stakes in decisive matches.