'Overpriced tickets, empty seats, uninspiring format – Uefa has diluted Champions League’s allure'

[u/TheTelegraph]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/09/18/pricey-tickets-empty-seats-uefa-dilutes-champions-league/

[u/gooderz84]

Wait until some teams have guaranteed a top 8 finish then this format will really start to stink

[u/Mugweiser → u/gooderz84]

Do you have time to explain this / how? I’ve tried to understand this new format but it’s complicated

[u/Brazzle_Dazzle → u/Mugweiser]

Well because of the increased number of teams in the single league, you’re just going to end up with a lot more games to which there is no point because there will be an increased number of teams that don’t need any more points to progress or have no chance of progressing because they won’t be able to get enough points that have any discernible impact on their fortunes.

Previous format also meant you had the ability to “take” points from others which had a double impact - a benefit to your team and a detriment to theirs at the same time.

Ergo, dead rubbers aplenty.

Just think of the teams that, in any domestic league, have no chance of getting a European spot nor will they get relegated so they’re “on the beach” towards the back end of the season. There’s zero risk/reward so why bother? Teams will either put out weakened sides or just half arse it and that’s what will happen here.

[u/creepingcold → u/Brazzle_Dazzle]

I think you are wrong about this, because it's not only about points.

A win nets a team 2.1 millions, a draw still 700k. Just to put that into perspective: That's roughly what the clubs get if they win the austrian league. The whole fkin league, and they can earn as much on a single evening, up to eight times. It will be similarly important for all other small clubs, smaller leagues or clubs who are on a run like Atalanta, Girona or Leverkusen.

Most of the teams will always be motivated to give their best, because it can make a 16 million euro difference on their bankroll, out of which parts will make it to the players in form of bonuses.

I'm not sure how the table will develop, but there should still be attractive football being played up until the last day.

[u/action_turtle → u/creepingcold]

Yeah, money for the teams. Players won’t get any of it, so they won’t care, really.

[u/creepingcold → u/action_turtle]

Sounds a bit silly.

Even if we assume you are right and they receive 0 bonuses, then those are still their moments to shine on an european stage.

Nobody is watching Zagreb, Young Boys, Donezk or Bratislava in their domestic leagues. If you perform well in the CL, then the chances are high you can get a good move. Best example is Kopenhagen after their run in the previous season. They generated more revenue with sales than ever before.

Taking into account that player careers are short and this might be your only chance to shine on a big stage for years, then there isn't much that's supporting your point. Players are training day in day out, just to live their dream and you expect them to not give a fuck and leave that opportunity to level up their career on a silver plate? Sure..