UEFA Confirm Changes to Champions League after Arsenal Complaints

• UEFA are set to make further changes to the Champions League format after introducing the league phase last season
• The format received plenty of backlash, but it was accepted, with fans asking for slight changes
• Arsenal, last season's semi-finalists, were not happy that they had to play the second leg of the semi-final away from home despite finishing third

UEFA is set to introduce further changes to the 2025/26 Champions League, just a year after completely overhauling its format.

Last season, the Champions League introduced the league phase, replacing the traditional group stage format. Teams were placed in a league and faced eight different opponents, adding two extra matches to the first round.

15th placed Paris Saint-Germain won the competition and eliminated top sides Arsenal and Liverpool along the way.

How was the Champions League format received?

The new Champions League format faced significant backlash from fans worldwide, but it gained acceptance as the season progressed.

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UEFA stated that changing the format was essential to enhance the experience for fans, players, and clubs.

@NiallofEast:

"They've completely wrecked the competition, no jeopardy whatsoever."

@JayManUtd77:

"But it let's you watch more top teams play each other than having to wait until knockout stages and hope it's not Club Brugge against Real Madrid."

@TheScurvyKid:

"There was zero tension. It was just a glut of 18 games occurring simultaneously that allowed you to watch a 2 hour goal fest."

@Son_Lyme:

"I found this years Champions League to be the most exciting and engaging in years. Instead of watching the predictable beating up of smaller clubs in pointless fixed group stages that reminded me of the SPFL, we had upsets every week, and a final round with so much on the line."

@top_tipz:

"The new format is great. Every game and goal affects every other team. Can't take your eyes off it. Love it."

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What are new Champions League changes?

According to ESPN, UEFA has confirmed changes that will determine which teams will play at home in the return leg of the quarter-finals and semi-finals, based on their final league phase position.

For instance, a team that finished third will be at home if they faced a team placed 15th in the table.

Teams that finish in the top four are guaranteed a second leg at home, in the round of 16 and quarter-finals if they reach that stage. The top two are also set to get home priority in the semis.

Arsenal finished third and had to play the second leg of the semi-final away from home against PSG.

However, PSG eliminated Liverpool, the top-ranked side, and inherited their advantage of playing the second leg at home. As a result, Arsenal wouldn't have gotten the second leg at home, regardless.

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Teams finishing third or fourth will be at a disadvantage in the latter stages of the competition due to UEFA's decision not to re-rank ties based on the League Phase placing.

The report adds that teams that finish in the first, second, seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 23rd, 24th positions can play the second leg at home in the semis.

In the just-concluded season, Barcelona would have played the second leg at home rather than away under the new rules.

The order of Arsenal's quarter-final against Real Madrid would also be different. The new rules will apply in all UEFA club competitions.

Who are the favourites to win Champions League next season?

PSG look unbeatable right now. They are the front-runners to win it again next season.

Real Madrid, who recently replaced five-time winner Carlo Ancelotti with Xabi Alonso, are always favourites to win it.

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Premier League sides Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea will be in contention.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona are other teams expected to be among the candidates to win.

Can Chelsea players be banned from Champions League?

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Chelsea players could be banned from the Champions League.

The club received a huge ban from UEFA for breaching its financial rules after their squad cost ratio exceeded 80%.

Therefore, they can be barred from using some of their players unless they have a positive balance.

Source: TUKO.co.ke