Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has criticized this season’s new Champions League format following the conclusion of the first-ever ‘league phase’ this week.
UEFA revamped the competition, replacing the traditional group stage with a single league table and increasing the number of pre-knockout fixtures from six to eight.
“Too many matches,” Ancelotti responded when asked by reporters on Wednesday night about his thoughts on the new format.
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While Ancelotti insisted that the increased number of matches has not negatively affected Madrid more than other teams, he reiterated his long-standing belief that elite football should involve fewer games.
“There have been too many, but for everyone,” he said. “And, at this moment in football, we need to reduce matches, not add more. That’s my opinion.”
In previous seasons, the top two teams in each group advanced to the last 16, but this year only the top eight from the league phase are guaranteed spots in that round. The remaining 16 teams, including Madrid after some disappointing results, must first compete in a two-legged play-off.
This new format adds even more fixtures to the schedule. If Madrid reaches the final again, they will have played four more games than last season, with the final marking their 17th Champions League match, compared to 13 last season.
Additionally, Madrid faces a busy summer with the new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup extending their season into July, while the Intercontinental Cup was added to the calendar in December.
