What Top Managers, Others Think of New UEFA Champions League Format

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The new-format league phase introduced to the UEFA Champions League this season came to an end on Wednesday night with 18 games played across Europe, with 64 goals scored and drama witnessed in many games as teams battled to claim favourable qualifying spots or avoid elimination.

Manchester City had to come from a goal down to secure a last-gasp playoff spot as one of the unseeded teams, while Dinamo Zagreb were 15 minutes away from finishing in the last playoff spot, only for Sporting Lisbon to score a crucial goal and end up in the playoffs ahead of the Croatians on goal difference.

The new format certainly triggered reactions from many who have competed in it or witnessed it.

Diego Simeone

“This format forces us to win. Before, many draws would have been enough but now, we have to win.”

Mikel Arteta

“I think the reason we changed the format was for all football fans and people that love the sport – a better product, more entertainment.”

Alan Shearer

“It’s been a huge success. There are so many games that have been brilliant. There’s so much riding on them.”

Micah Richards

“I just think… more goals, it’s more exciting, isn’t it?”

Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer

“It’s different and I think it’s definitely exciting. You don’t know how many points you need.”

Arsenal’s Declan Rice

“Usually you would find these games in the quarter-finals or semi-finals.”

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