I really do like the new format of playing the knock out games in one country as single leg games over a few weeks. It does away with the archaic "away goals" rule and makes the games more exciting and has a world cup tournament feel about it.
I obviously realise that this has only been introduced because of the Covid-19 pandemic and repeating the format in future season is extremely unlikely.
Having said that, if it was possible to repeat the format (with fans in attendance) who would support the idea?
Champions/Europa League Formats
posted on 14/8/20
comment by Neo- PL CHAMPIONS (U9135)
posted 22 minutes ago
No chance, too much television money would be lost from not having it over two legs.
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theres ways around this. Can still have same number of games or you double the sponsorship money.
Get teams to flip coin for home advantage. I would also allow a team to pay a princely sum for home advantage to the other team if they want to reverse the coin decision.
Add some high stakes to these cups.
posted on 14/8/20
I get what OP means but all things considered I think I prefer the normal format. Or maybe..a mix of both?
Semi-final and final could be done in this format (neutral venues all in one country over a few days). And more feasible to fit into a normal season (do just at the end of when most European leagues finish).
posted on 14/8/20
UEFA would never agree, too much money involved, but for ropey league would be a good idea, get it over as quickly as possible
posted on 14/8/20
I like the fact next season group stages are quick fire, barring International breaks they are every week.
I would go further and do the whole group stage in 3 weeks - weekend/midweek games. And the same for knockouts.
But i would also play rounds 3-6 of the FA Cup over 3 weeks in January. Then semi finals and final at end of season on consecutive weekends.
I like the idea of all focus on one competition rather than switching back and forth. I am probably in the minority.
posted on 14/8/20
The away goals rule is fantastic. Adds a whole new dimension to games.
No way they should even think about getting rid of it permanently.
posted on 14/8/20
The away goal rule kills more games than makes interesting.
posted on 14/8/20
I said the away goal rule is archaic because it was designed for a completely different era when travelling to play other clubs in Europe was a massive challenge. However, in the modern era, players are from all over the world (let alone Europe) and the challenge is not the same.
Certainly a club has home advantage, but that's the same for domestic league/cup games as well as group CL/EL games.
We have obviously benefited from the away goal rule in the recent past, but that doesn't mean it's still a good idea
posted on 14/8/20
Spurs would not have got as far as they did last season without the away goal rule.
No need to change it.
posted on 14/8/20
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 1 hour, 13 minutes ago
The away goal rule kills more games than makes interesting.
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Not sure about this. Off the top of my head both semi-finals and Spurs quarter final were improved by the presence of the rule.
Football normally has a the buffer of a draw. Of you are losing 1 - 0 and score an equaliser with the last kick of the game it is great but still only a draw. Similar if you are the winning team who concedes. The away goal rule removes that buffer and you go from heading out of the tournament to going through with one moment. Its great.
Part of the tension of Liverpool's comeback against Barca last year was even when we had taken the 4-3 lead, all it took was one error at the back and we would be out.
posted on 14/8/20
Does anyone seriously think that the european competitions will take place via the normal format next season? Because I don't