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WELCOME TO THE NEW FORMAT!

Following surviving a full campaign of the expanded tournament featuring its “Swiss Model” 36-strong league table, in which all clubs competes in eight games versus varied opponents, views are split on whether Uefa’s innovative structure is better, worse or much the same to the older initial phase. Rather than the old 96 games required to reduce 32 clubs to 16, the current format now requires a staggering 144 matches to eliminate only 12 sides from the 36-club lineup. An elite competition effectively, Uefa is painfully aware that its flagship club competition is currently an increasingly unwieldy, bloated mess that places excessive demands on overworked players, yet seems unconcerned. When it means blockbuster clashes like two European giants repeatedly in six seasons, and revenue continues to flow, then who is Uefa to concern itself with managerial concerns or player fatigue?

At first glance, there are several marquee matchups between genuine European giants scheduled across the eight separate matchdays, and quite a few of them expected to be exciting audiences. Yet, the almost complete absence of drama for elite teams like Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern, Real and Atlético Madrid, multiple English sides and other contenders—who will probably need no more than 11 points from eight games—means that the league stage may seem somewhat anticlimactic. Among the 36 clubs that competed last season, the only surprise entrant for the next round was gritty Brest, whose heroic effort ended in a comprehensive defeat to the eventual winners.

Arsenal will be the initial English team in action when they face Athletic Bilbao in among the first matches. While the historic fixture between these two storied clubs should be a memorable event, the high probability that both will advance implies that the result may be less critical. Ultimately, previously, an dominant Liverpool lost just three points in the league phase only to lose in the following phase, defeated by a Paris Saint-Germain side that progressed to win the tournament despite multiple of their opening five games. Nevertheless, rights have been paid for, the games must be played, and we know that by the knockout phase, the action will largely be excellent. For now, there are 144 games to complete in order to separate the elite clubs from the lesser-known sides.

BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Tune in for minute-by-minute coverage of Athletic Club vs Arsenal, as well as Tottenham vs Villarreal, and clockwatch updates for the rest of the night's fixtures in both major competitions.

NOTABLE COMMENT

“With numerous opportunities coming his way, I think it is exceptionally courageous [to stay]. Many says to him, ‘you should do this or you should do that’ and I think he is faithful to his beliefs. He believes in what we are doing here and understands the grass is not always greener. Another manager went to Besiktas and it didn’t last long. His work has been a tremendous effort and the commitment he has to the team, staff and the project is extraordinary … the easy part would be to pursue wealth and hop on to somewhere else” – A representative commending coach his devotion to Bodø/Glimt, that he has guided to the elite competition despite being based in a remote Arctic location.

AUDIENCE FEEDBACK

“Chris Wilder has the perfect opportunity to surpass the Nottingham Forest coach and promise success in his latest tenure” – One supporter.

“Great story recently about the Thuram brothers and their father. A far cry from the occasion I played against my sibling: he made a reckless challenge that caused an injury for a month, and the official (our father) failed to book him. Memorable times!” – A second contributor.

“Re: the news about Manchester City firing a barman for wearing a opposing jersey. It reminds me a similar tale from my youth: a steward once said to us before a match, ‘I hope you guys win, I don’t like the other team.’ Still makes me laugh” – Today’s winner submission.

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Here’s a feature on a club’s search for a new champion, featuring elements to ancient Greece and modern football culture.