Analysts from the five German clubs participating in the new-look Uefa Champions League might be busier than ever, as the new format provides eight games to play per side in a league system.
On the road to the 2025 final, to be played on May 31 in Munich, a total of 144 games — up from 96 — will be played by 36 clubs — up from 32 — which means at least two more games per club in the first stage.
While the top eight clubs after the league stage proceed directly to the knockout stages, clubs ending up between ninth and 16th, and 17th to 24th, are forced into two-legged knock-out play-offs. Clubs that finish between 25th and 36th will be knocked out of continental competition.
While Uefa claims to have boosted excitement for fans, the new format is regarded not only to increase unpredictability, but also serve as an answer to plans of some leading clubs to set up a so-called Super League outside of Uefa’s governance.
The help of artificial intelligence had to be used to set up the new Champions League campaign.
With five German clubs having qualified for the 2024-25 campaign, reigning German champion Bayer Leverkusen (to play Inter Milan, Liverpool, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid) and RB Leipzig (to face Liverpool, Inter Milan, Juventus and Atletico Madrid) seem to face the most challenging fixtures from September 17 until January 2025.
2024 finalists Borussia Dortmund again crosses swords with Spanish giants Real Madrid, in addition to Barcelona and Atalanta, but then head for supposedly weaker opponents such as Shakhtar Donetsk, Celtic, Dinamo Zagreb, Club Brugge and Sturm Graz.
2020 treble winners Bayern Munich will face former coach Hansi Flick and star striker Robert Lewandowski when they take on Barcelona, with the Bavarians also set to face Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Dinamo Zagreb, Shakhtar Donetsk, Feyenoord and Slovan Bratislava.
2023-24 Bundesliga runner-up Stuttgart, meanwhile, may be aiming for the playoffs in order to proceed to the knockout stage.
Coach Sebastian Hoeness’s side are returning to the Champions League after a 15-year absence, and face Real Madrid, PSG, Atalanta, Juventus, Red Star Belgrade, Sparta Prague and Young Boys.
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl praised the new format as “interesting” and said it could be exciting until the end.
Iconic striker Thomas Muller and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer are said to be happy to face Flick and former teammate Lewandowski.
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes spoke of a “challenging Europe tour” with the highlights of meeting both Milan clubs, while Stuttgart coach Hoeness said it would be a dream come true to face Real Madrid.
Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said finishing among the top eight is his club’s goal, and praised the new format as “overall exciting.”
BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl said previous draws might have been more exciting, but the current one opens doors to a new world of football in a modern style.
