Manchester City Gears Up for New Champions League Format in Quest for Second Title
Manchester City, the reigning 2023 Champions League champions, are set to compete under a newly revamped format unveiled by UEFA for the upcoming season.
In this fresh approach, the traditional group stage will be replaced by a league phase featuring 36 teams. Unlike the old format where each team played against three opponents twice, the new system will see each club face eight different teams once. This shift aims to introduce more variety and excitement into the competition.
The participating teams will be seeded into four pots, determined by their UEFA coefficients at the start of the season. As a result of their top-tier status, Manchester City will find themselves in pot one. Each team will then play two matches against opponents from each of the four pots, ensuring a balanced mix of competition.
One crucial stipulation in the new format is that teams will not face opponents from their own country during the league phase. Additionally, no team can be drawn against more than two sides from the same nation.
The draw for this new format is set for August 29. It will involve a manual selection process using physical balls, while an automated software will randomly assign eight opponents to each team across the four pots. This software will also decide which matches will be home and away, ensuring complete randomness within the regulatory framework.
The draw will begin with pot one, assigning eight opponents to each of the nine teams, followed by the remaining pots in descending order. UEFA guarantees that the software will avoid any deadlock scenarios, ensuring a smooth and fair draw process.
Although the draw will reveal all opponents, the specific fixture list with match dates and kick-off times will be finalized and announced on Saturday, August 31. This scheduling ensures there are no clashes with teams participating in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League in the same cities.
Jack Grealish, celebrating City’s Champions League victory last season, will be among the stars looking to thrive under this new format. As City aims for a second European title, the revamped competition promises to bring fresh challenges and opportunities.
