Coach Ancelotti criticizes the harsh new format of the Champions League

Speaking at a press conference ahead of tonight's match against Stuttgart, coach Ancelotti said: "The schedule is too tough. The tournament has a new format and we don't know how things will turn out.

I'm not sure if this new format will make the tournament more attractive, but certainly, we have to play two more matches."

Coach Ancelotti is worried that players will be overloaded this season (Photo: UEFA).

This year's three European tournaments, the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Conference League, have all increased from 32 teams to 36. In the Champions League and Europa League, the number of matches has increased from 96 to 144, with teams having to play 8 to 10 matches before entering the knockout stage.

This season, Real Madrid has to play in 5 tournaments including La Liga, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup. In the FIFA Club World Cup taking place in the summer of 2025, 32 clubs will participate with a total of 56 matches and if they go far in the tournament, Real Madrid will have to play 6-7 matches.

Coach Ancelotti stated his opinion: "I want to reduce the number of matches to have better quality tournaments. Players are getting injured too much, that's why the management agencies have to pay attention to that."

In the 2024-25 Champions League, Real Madrid will host Dortmund, Milan, Salzburg, Stuttgart at the Bernabeu and visit Liverpool, Atalanta, Lille, Brest in the group stage. The goal of the "White Vultures" this year is to successfully defend their European championship.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/hlv-ancelotti-chi-trich-the-thuc-moi-khac-nghiet-cua-champions-league-20240917063612349.htm