Kate Abdo has admitted that UEFA’s decision to change the format of the Champions League has made her feel uncomfortable.
From the 24/25 season, the Champions League will be played under a new format.
A single group of 36 teams will replace the format of eight groups of four, with each side playing eight matches during the new group stage. Four will be at home and four away.
Advert
Following the group stage, all teams will be formatted into a table with the top eight sides automatically qualifying for the round of 16 while clubs finishing between ninth and 24th will enter a play-off round for the eight remaining places.
Once that process has commenced, ongoings in the Champions League will proceed as normal with a two-legged round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final before the eventual final.
Speaking to The Athletic about the new format, CBS Sports’ presenter Abdo said: “I don’t like change. I’m a traditionalist. The format I’m used to changing just makes me uncomfortable. I don’t have the same background in terms of being a player. Selfishly, I like my winter break. I like having six weeks off. The soccer season is long.
Advert
“I’m not crazy about it, but I know that every time they change a format, you always hate it in the beginning, and then you suddenly get to a point where you can’t really remember what it used to be like. So it will become normal. But if I could choose, it wouldn’t be happening.”
Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry said: “You get more games, entertainment, content. So yes, for TV, fans, small teams, exposure, content, it is great. But as a player and not a pundit, I think about injuries and the integrity of the players.
“What I want to see personally as a fan, I want to see the starting XI of (Manchester) City at the end of the season being fresh to compete against the best starting XI of Real Madrid or Arsenal or whatever. I don’t want to see people resting because you have too many games.”
Featured Image Credit: CBS Sports/GettyTopics: Champions League, Football, UEFA