The question of whether the early stages of the Champions League are unnecessary is interesting, especially as their results are generally easy to predict, with the big clubs advancing to the knockout stages and the smaller ones returning, more often than not returning to ambiguity. But as true as it is, what is the alternative? The initial and, to a greater extent, group phase gives at least the smaller clubs the opportunity to express themselves at a higher level as well as to offer them much-needed revenue. It also gives football fan a great opportunity to watch the wide range of football played in Europe, it allows to check current and future stars of the game plus it also allows clubs to test their fringes and future players in a other football style.
It should also not be forgotten that games like Inter Milan v Spurs, which for many football fans produced the best football seen at any level this season, and which also highlights Welshman Gareth Bale, who has already become one of The most sought after players in world ตํานานนักบอลยุโรป.
It is true that some matches now and then are wasted, while Manchester United against Bursaspor is a pretty good example. It is clear that the Turkish side were overclassified and will be sent to a more distant level of football once the group game is over. However, try to tell it to their board, their players and their fans that and they would probably start a tower war as they, like United, earned the right to play group scenes and fully deserved their chance. Bursaspor, like many other lesser-known teams, will be a stronger club for the experience.
It must also be remembered that like any sport, football is still evolving and the Champions League can easily be the ‘blueprint’ for a much broader form of the game. The idea behind a future European league has long been on UEFA’s drawing board, and the chances of it being fully sanctioned are quite deep.
How it would work at this stage is hard to know, but it would not necessarily miss the end of domestic football at all. The Premier Leagues in all European countries will all continue as normal, with the Champions League being their reward for success. Football fans should be aware that the Champions League and Europa League have evolved from the European and UEFA Cups, but both with the exception of the group stage are still knock-out competitions. The name changes may have been made for psychological reasons as much as anything else that aims to prepare all those associated with football, including football fan for the future format ….