New Champions League format is a snorefest – even the European Super League would have been better than this
COME back European Super League, all is forgiven.
That is one way of reacting to the snorefest that is the new Champions League format.
If what the rest of the world truly wants is lots more games like Arsenal against Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City against Inter, then go for it.
All the self-proclaimed biggest clubs in Europe should just break away, play each other to a standstill for billions of pounds in worldwide TV revenue, and leave everyone else to do something less boring instead.
Uefa sold the idea of expanding their flagship competition from 32 to 36 teams, with each playing eight games instead of six in the opening phase, as a way of creating more competitiveness and excitement.
The biggest clubs would have two matches against their peers, rather than having to wait until the knockout stage to meet.
The smaller clubs would meet teams of a similar level twice and have a chance of tasting victory that was so hard to achieve if you were the bottom seed in a group of four.
Ignoring for a moment the fact that the real motivation was the simple equation of more games = more money, the theory itself already looks flawed.
None of the matches between European giants has delivered a compelling contest yet.
And why would they? At the start of the long season with more matches in it, why would any team with ambitions to win things in the spring, go out all guns blazing in the autumn?
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Especially when they know they have six games NOT against big sides to make sure they accrue enough points to qualify at least for the play-off round (and even more games).
There is even less jeopardy than before.
Not only is the buzz around these clashes of the titans diminished, the format will also make the knockout stages less special.
Part of the appeal of those matches at the business end is that they are a rare occurrence, not something that happens every week.
On the flipside, there are the same no-contests that used to blight the old group stage.
After Bayern Munich 9-2 Dinamo Zagreb in the first round of matches, we’ve already had Borussia Dortmund 7-1 Celtic this week, with thumping wins also for Barcelona, Man City and Inter.
Arsenal ratings vs PSG as Havertz makes striker spot his own... but Calafiori shows chinks in his armour
KAI HAVERTZ and Bukayo Saka sent Arsenal to a deserved victory borne of first-half dominance.
Paris Saint-Germain did hit the bar and the post as they improved after the break in this Champions League tie.
But Emirates chief Mikel Arteta will mostly be delighted with his side’s latest solid display in Europe’s top club competition.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners at the Emirates on Tuesday.
DAVID RAYA – 7
Was perhaps busier than he usually is at home.
Helplessly watched a Nuno Mendes effort smack his far post and stood firm to deny Achraf Hakimi at his near post.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
A frantic display, one that had more shaky moments than good. Kept busy by Hakimi and was done for pace on a few occasions but recovered well.
A mistake early in the second half almost gave PSG a way back into the game. Needs to iron out these errors from his game, particularly when he is so dangerous in attack.
However, he was playing at right-back for the first time in his career after the break.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 7
Did not have much to do. A stray pass early on could have been costly but other than that another reliable and strong performance.
GABRIEL – 7
Sprayed some nice passes about from deep but this was a stress-free night’s work compared to the Premier League.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 8
Just how on earth does Ben White get back in this side at right back? Another immaculate display from a man who seemingly has it all in defence and attack.
Well, White may well get his chance after Timber was subbed off at half-time.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Solid as a rock and building a real partnership with Partey in midfield. Had a chance to drive forward just before the half hour mark but his pass to Saka was cut out.
THOMAS PARTEY – 8
So consistent at the moment, something Arsenal fans have not seen from the Ghanaian midfielder in a long time owing mostly to injury.
Made some crucial interceptions and showed real composure playing out from deep.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 8
One of Arsenal’s most important players right now. Since his red card at Man City, he has notched a goal and an assist – the latter here for Havertz to open the scoring with a perfectly-timed cross.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
After an early shot over the bar from a trademark cut inside, the England international had a slight drop off in influence before his scuffed free-kick flew in untouched from out wide.
Still, he gave Mendes a torrid time at left-back. Even PSG manager Luis Enrique watched on at times in awe inside his technical area.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
A quiet night for the Brazilian following his first goal since March against Leicester, which may have been down to a big collision with Gianluigi Donnarumma in the first few minutes.
Should have made it 3-0 with a volley inside the box after the break but it was straight at Donnarumma. Unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
KAI HAVERTZ – 9
Brave and brilliant to head in from Trossard’s teasing cross, despite the onrushing lump that is Donnarumma trying to take his head off.
Almost had an assist too with a cute lay-up for Martinelli in the box. The striker-midfield debate should be over – Havertz is a top-class centre forward.
SUBS:
JAKUB KIWIOR (TIMBER, 45) – 7
Did what was expected of him at left-back. Produced a good recovery tackle on Kang-in Lee in the box.
MIKEL MERINO (PARTEY, 64) – 7
Finally, a debut for the Spaniard. Some neat touches under pressure, slotting in seamlessly next to Rice.
GABRIEL JESUS (TROSSARD, 74) – 6
Looked desperate to impress having struggled for starts so far and that looks to be working against him – things just aren’t clicking.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (SAKA, 92) – N/A
Christian vs Lions in Rome’s Colosseum was more competitive than some of these matches.
But in the end it all comes down to money.
Clubs, especially the biggest ones, have an insatiable appetite for more revenue, even though most of the extra ends up in the pockets of the players.
That is why it is hard sometimes to have sympathy for multimillionaire footballers threatening to strike because of over-work.
Ultimately, though, it does come down to the greed of owners who are forever chasing the elusive dream of making significant profits from football, either from day-to-day operations and player trading or by selling them on to the next deluded investor/nation state.
Unfortunately, there is little the frustrated fan – or even player – can do.
The only language these people understand is cold, hard cash.
If people stopped subscribing to the pay-TV channels showing this dross, then it might focus a few minds.
But fans have been brainwashed into thinking that unless they are watching the Champions League, they are missing out on something.
Everyone needs to have a re-think.