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UEFA to tweak new Champions League format
UEFA is preparing to introduce a key tweak to the new Champions League format to reward consistency in the new league phase.
According to Marca, clubs that finish in the top eight of the 36-team league stage will be granted home advantage for the second leg of knockout ties all the way through to the semi-finals.
The change is close to being approved. It will give greater weight to performance in the initial phase of the competition.
UEFA has reportedly gathered feedback from the footballing community and found a common frustration.
There were complaints that the top eight clubs were not being sufficiently rewarded under the current set-up, where only the round of 16-second leg is hosted by the higher-ranked team.
Under the new proposal, the home-away order of knockout ties will now be shaped by league-phase rankings.
If both teams in a given tie are among the top eight, the higher-placed side will host the decisive second leg.
This priority system will remain in place up to the semi-final stage. The final remains at a neutral venue.
UEFA remains bullish on the success of its revamped format, which saw the traditional group stage scrapped in favour of a single league table.
However, they believe this tweak is a logical step in fine-tuning a structure that’s still relatively new.
No additional structural changes are currently being considered for the new Champions League format, but if approved, this home-leg advantage could have a competitive impact.
It will give teams that dominate the league phase and expect to make deep runs a minute advantage in the knockout phase.
The report is unclear on whether this change will apply to the Europa League and Europa Conference League.
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