It’s still early in the revamped Champions League, but two rounds into the ‘Swiss model,’ it’s clear that the new format is struggling to match the intensity of the old four-team group stage. UEFA had touted this 36-team ‘league phase’ as a means to introduce more “big matches… earlier in the competition” and to eliminate meaningless games before the knockouts. While there are certainly more marquee matchups on paper, the early signs suggest the matches feel less consequential than under the previous format.
The idea of bringing big clubs face-to-face earlier in the competition sounded promising, and so far, it has delivered on that front. We’ve already seen Liverpool face AC Milan, Manchester City clash with Inter Milan, and Arsenal take on Paris Saint-Germain. Yet, the sense of jeopardy — the feeling that every game truly counts — seems to have been lost.
At the Emirates on Tuesday, Arsenal secured their first win in this new league phase with a commanding 2-0 victory over PSG. In the previous format, this could have been a pivotal result that might put Arsenal in pole position for top spot or leave PSG anxious about their chances of reaching the last 16. However, with the new structure allowing each team six more matches to recover, the significance of any single match result is diluted.
PSG, despite the defeat, already have three points from their previous win over Girona. Even though it was a disappointing night for Luis Enrique’s young squad, it is unlikely to be decisive in their campaign, with six more opportunities to secure a place in the top 24. Similarly, Celtic’s 7-1 thrashing by Borussia Dortmund offers no immediate cause for panic. With the estimated nine-point threshold to secure a play-off spot, the Scottish champions can still progress by making the most of their remaining games.
For many fans, understanding their team’s position in the league table at this stage feels unnecessary. Arsenal fans leaving the Emirates on Tuesday likely had no idea where their team sat in the 36-team table (eighth, as it turns out) because it seems irrelevant for now. Even Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta admitted, “It’s too early to bother checking the standings.” His focus remains on performance and winning matches, with the hope of being in a favorable position once the long, drawn-out league phase concludes.
The new format also demands more from the teams, with two additional matches in the initial phase and potentially four more for those advancing through the play-offs. This means that, unlike the previous format which wrapped up by Christmas, the league phase will continue into late January, featuring games that feel strangely insignificant.
There is hope that the drama will build as the tournament progresses. By the New Year, the standings could see teams jockeying for automatic qualification and play-off spots, creating the tension that fans crave. However, this is not guaranteed. Several teams could secure their places with games to spare, potentially turning the later rounds into meaningless fixtures filled with squad rotations.
Even if the league phase finishes with some dramatic twists, it may not justify the numerous dull matches beforehand. Arsenal’s win over PSG, marked by goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, was a highlight for their supporters, but how many neutrals tuned in given the lack of high stakes? Elite sport captivates when every contest feels like it truly matters, a feeling currently missing from this Champions League format.
UEFA’s battle against the European Super League was built on the premise of protecting football’s integrity. Ironically, the current Champions League setup echoes the very issues it fought against: more big games that ultimately feel far less significant.