The final tournaments of the Champions League and Europa League are an emergency solution. But many of those involved like the spontaneous plan from the Corona crisis – and could replace the long-serving two-way leg, says Uefa boss Ceferin. There are also concerns, however.
No return games, final tournaments in just one place: The corona emergency finals could lead to a fundamental reform of the European Cup in the medium term. After previous skepticism, Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin is open to far-reaching changes in international competitions. The system with one duel per match appears “more interesting,” said the head of the European Football Union of the AP news agency.
“It’s pretty complicated to put a Final 8 on the calendar. But we’ve seen that people want exciting games, that any team in the Champions League or Europa League can beat any team in a game. That’s why we prefer that for the future I think we have to start talking seriously in September or October. “
Before the final tournaments of the premier class in Lisbon and the Europa League in North Rhine-Westphalia, Ceferin had ruled out such thought games. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Uefa had brought their European Cup competitions to one location each and from the quarter-finals onwards with just one duel. The previously known mode is largely stipulated by the Uefa Executive Committee until 2024.
Bayern board member Oliver Kahn also recently stated that the format has a “charm” from his point of view: “One game – and then you have a decision,” said the ex-national goalkeeper, but did not want to determine whether he “really did better “think. The Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had already suspected before the start that the mode would “hit like a bomb”. “Smart decisions” are needed in a reform so that “the hunger for the Champions League grows”, demanded the internationally well-connected functionary.
Less games with more value?
Oliver Mintzlaff from semi-final participant RB Leipzig had mixed opinions on the changed mode. “I think the format is also great. It also has a different character,” said the CEO of Saxony. “But one or the other forget it, when you have two games that are broadcast on TV and then you have other TV earnings.”
Uefa boss Ceferin reported that many “football friends” had written to him and were “extremely enthusiastic” about the all-or-nothing duels. The Slovenian also tried to refute the argument that income could possibly fall. “Even if there are fewer games, their value would be higher if they were marketed properly.”
If the basic European Cup procedure were to be changed, it would have to be discussed from which round a possible final tournament could start. Eight teams in one place could be difficult to deal with due to the expected rush of fans – with spectators returning after the coronavirus pandemic. A Final Four format from the semifinals onwards would possibly be more practicable. “You would be in the center of the world’s attention for a week and that would be fantastic, but we have to see,” said Ceferin. “I think it’s an interesting format that we haven’t thought about before and now it’s on our minds.”
– .
