Most of Europe's top five domestic leagues have kicked off with Bundesliga about to start this weekday. Remarkably, Champions League qualification has already begun for some teams who could not automatically qualify for the tournament. The new Champions League format will involve more games. More fixtures will force Luis Enrique to make changes to his starting lineup particularly if they have a midweek European game. As a result, more players will get a chance to stake a claim for a place in the starting line-up. This is brilliant for several reasons as it will boost squad morale and ensure that players are prepared whenever they are called upon.
Since the new format will involve more games the clubs participating in it will generate more revenue. This is ideal for Les Parisians as it not only helps pay off an unwanted player's wages but depending on how far they compete it could provide them with enough income to cover a loan deal for a player in the winter transfer window. If they are fortunate enough to go very deep into the tournament they may be able to sign a star player next summer window.
The revamped format featuring more games and rotation will ensure that players in the starting eleven don't take their place for granted. If they suffer the smallest dip in form they know that the fringe players are waiting in line. What's more, if the fringe player performs well it will be difficult to get back into the starting eleven. Strong competition for places is necessary to get the best out of every player.
The Champions League draw has been completed and eagle-eyed fans spotted the immediate reaction of PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. The revamped format for the competition sees 36 teams - increased from 32 - compete in a league phase with the top eight progressing directly to the round of 16. Teams placed from ninth to 25 will face off against each other in a play-off to determine the other eight sides that will make up the 16. Any teams that are eliminated will not drop down into the Europa League like previous seasons.
With the help of an AI supercomputer, UEFA conducted the draw on Thursday evening in Monaco with delegates from the various clubs in attendance to see who they were drawn against. Eagle-eyed supporters noticed the reaction of Al-Khelaifi in particular when the cameras cut to the PSG chief. The French champions were handed home ties against Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven and Girona as well as away ties against Bayern Munich, Arsenal, RB Salzburg and Stuttgart; making up one of the most difficult sets of fixtures.
Al-Khelaifi couldn’t hide his emotions and was seen to be visibly taken aback after the tough fixture list was revealed. The fixture against Bayern will see a repeat of the 2019/20 final with both sides having an almost identical win record in the head-to-head statistics. Reacting to the draw, Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich picked out the game against PSG as one of his most anticipated fixtures. He told UEFA: “There are some teams here that we haven't played against very often. Above all, I'm looking forward to seeing Hansi Flick and Barcelona again and also to the game with Paris. For me, these are formally the two strongest opponents, although you shouldn't underestimate any of the other clubs. They can all be very close games.” The date of the fixtures will be confirmed on Saturday, August 31 with the final league stage fixture taking place at the end of January.
EAGLE-EYED football fans were left in stitches after spotting Nasser Al-Khelaifi's reaction to Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League draw. PSG drew Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven and Girona at home and Bayern Munich, Arsenal, RB Salzburg and Stuttgart away in the new-look draw on Thursday. It means the Ligue 1 giants face arguably the most difficult run of fixtures in the competition.
PSG chief Al-Khelaifi could not hide his shock when his team's draw was announced in full. The businessman could be seen staring at the stage with a fearful look on his face. Eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice his response, with one person taking to social media to comment: “He's scared as hell, probably won't sleep tonight.” Another wrote: “Like he’s seen a ghost 🤣.” A third said: “Valid reaction.” While a fourth joked: “Looks as if he just saw someone getting murdered, well PSG probably will.”
Fans were not impressed with the new system that decided the fixtures - which involved Gianluigi Buffon drawing teams out and Cristiano Ronaldo pressing a button to decide who they'll play. Some even suggested the draw was rigged. However, Uefa took measures to protect the AI technology from hackers. This included hiring a third party, London-based company, to deal with cyber security.
