The Evo-Web Football Thoughts Blog

[Flipper the Priest]

So the new CL format did a good job of looking better than the old one!

 

[interkarter]

So the new CL format did a good job of looking better than the old one!

this format is just another gambling galore, i personally despise it

 

[PES4eva]

this format is just another gambling galore, i personally despise it

I hate the league system in European competitions. It was perfectly fine when they had groups and aways goals. Pretty much every match meant something which made it more exciting. Now it's kind of irrelevant if you lose a few games in the league format. There's no real excitement in the league format, the only excitement comes from the knockout stage now.

 

[Ravager29586]

I hate the league system in European competitions. It was perfectly fine when they had groups and aways goals. Pretty much every match meant something which made it more exciting. Now it's kind of irrelevant if you lose a few games in the league format. There's no real excitement in the league format, the only excitement comes from the knockout stage now.

The new knockout stage format of this season's European club competitions is much more exciting than the league phase games.
The possibilities of a big games being happened during the first two rounds of knockout phases are now greater. Manchester City facing Real Madrid in the "new Round of 16 playoff" this season is something weird from this new format, as this is a big game that usually decided the outcome of the competition. The winner of the last 3 seasons of this competition came from this game. But I'm still doubting about chances for either sides, especially given the fact the other big teams are also having such a great form this season, like Liverpool topping both Premier League and Champions League tables, Barcelona having some great results against bigger teams which included 2 big victories in El Clasico against Real Madrid (both La Liga and Spanish Super Cup Final), and even Inter Milan that only conceded a single goal throughout the league phase (the game against Bayer Leverkusen, which was also their only loss so far during that stage).
Last, but not least, unlike the previous seasons, the "draw protection" for both Round of 16 playoff and the actual Round of 16 aren't longer applied anymore so that we could have a rematch of the league phase games or even the game between two teams from the same countries starting from the first knockout rounds. We could have either Madrid or Milan derbies happening in the Round of 16, although UEFA will hold a "separate draw" for the Round of 16 onwards after all of the Round of 16 playoff games were wrapped up. Same goes for an epic Benfica vs Barcelona UCL clash, whose the original encounter in the league phase ended with a 9-goal thriller.

 

[PES4eva]

The new knockout stage format of this season's European club competitions is much more exciting than the league phase games.
The possibilities of a big games being happened during the first two rounds of knockout phases are now greater. Manchester City facing Real Madrid in the "new Round of 16 playoff" this season is something weird from this new format, as this is a big game that usually decided the outcome of the competition. The winner of the last 3 seasons of this competition came from this game. But I'm still doubting about chances for either sides, especially given the fact the other big teams are also having such a great form this season, like Liverpool topping both Premier League and Champions League tables, Barcelona having some great results against bigger teams which included 2 big victories in El Clasico against Real Madrid (both La Liga and Spanish Super Cup Final), and even Inter Milan that only conceded a single goal throughout the league phase (the game against Bayer Leverkusen, which was also their only loss so far during that stage).
Last, but not least, unlike the previous seasons, the "draw protection" for both Round of 16 playoff and the actual Round of 16 aren't longer applied anymore so that we could have a rematch of the league phase games or even the game between two teams from the same countries starting from the first knockout rounds. We could have either Madrid or Milan derbies happening in the Round of 16, although UEFA will hold a "separate draw" for the Round of 16 onwards after all of the Round of 16 playoff games were wrapped up. Same goes for an epic Benfica vs Barcelona UCL clash, whose the original encounter in the league phase ended with a 9-goal thriller.

I dunno man I still prefer it how it used to be. I think they just change stuff for the sake of it. They'll change something else next season just so they can say they've "improved" the competition.

 

[rockstrongo]

I fully agree on the format being shite.
TBH id rather see the old European cup system with only the winners (or perhaps top two team from each league) participating, i know thats a utopia in todays industry, but still

 

[PES4eva]

I fully agree on the format being shite.
TBH id rather see the old European cup system with only the winners (or perhaps top two team from each league) participating, i know thats a utopia in todays industry, but still

As a fan id be happy with that but as you said money making business decisions is what controls the game and has done for years now. Guess we're stuck with whatever they decide will maximise revenue

 

[rockstrongo]

As a fan id be happy with that but as you said money making business decisions is what controls the game and has done for years now. Guess we're stuck with whatever they decide will maximise revenue

I'm quite sure we'll see a super league soon, or have the uefa nipped that in the bud with this new system?

Who knows, all I see is smaller countries/leagues not being able to make an upset in the CL anymore, since it's more and more tws the big leagues and their needs to be in the CL every year.

Pretty sure big teams will get a automatic spot even if finishing low in their respective league, all to satisfy them from Uefa
Bleak future mate

 

[Ravager29586]

I fully agree on the format being shite.
TBH id rather see the old European cup system with only the winners (or perhaps top two team from each league) participating, i know thats a utopia in todays industry, but still

Me too. Reverting the Champions League to the old European Cup system with only the domestic league winners and straight knockout format might be a good solution for saving the future of European Football.

I really hate the presence of group stage and league phase formats. Too many games and players complained a lot about injuries and fixture congestion.

I'm quite sure we'll see a super league soon, or have the uefa nipped that in the bud with this new system?

Who knows, all I see is smaller countries/leagues not being able to make an upset in the CL anymore, since it's more and more tws the big leagues and their needs to be in the CL every year.

Pretty sure big teams will get a automatic spot even if finishing low in their respective league, all to satisfy them from Uefa
Bleak future mate

The Super League might not help at all. This entirety of world football is literally a joke right now.

UEFA decided to change this competition's format not because of a small competitiveness, but for money. Same goes to FIFA, whose Gianni Infantino's regime saw the World Cup expansion to 48 teams and the new Club World Cup with 32 teams, which led to more games and more risk of player injuries. Not to mention, giving another Arab country with the human right issues to host the World Cup (Saudi Arabia) because they need to reserve the South American countries for the World Cup centenary tournament (along with Spain, Portugal, and Morocco being the main hosts) seems to be a final straw for this "beautiful game" and really put the whole football corruption on its peak.

Of course, with this new format, not only that smaller countries/leagues are struggled to cause an upset in the UCL like what happened to APOEL in the past, but we might not be able to see teams who were relegated from the UCL group stage to win the UEL. Sevilla can only win the UEL if they participated in this competition at the start, not after getting relegated from the UCL. Same goes to Olympiacos winning the UECL the last season after playing in the UEL group stage.

 

[rockstrongo]

Me too. Reverting the Champions League to the old European Cup system with only the domestic league winners and straight knockout format might be a good solution for saving the future of European Football.

I really hate the presence of group stage and league phase formats. Too many games and players complained a lot about injuries and fixture congestion.


The Super League might not help at all. This entirety of world football is literally a joke right now.

UEFA decided to change this competition's format not because of a small competitiveness, but for money. Same goes to FIFA, whose Gianni Infantino's regime saw the World Cup expansion to 48 teams and the new Club World Cup with 32 teams, which led to more games and more risk of player injuries. Not to mention, giving another Arab country with the human right issues to host the World Cup (Saudi Arabia) because they need to reserve the South American countries for the World Cup centenary tournament (along with Spain, Portugal, and Morocco being the main hosts) seems to be a final straw for this "beautiful game" and really put the whole football corruption on its peak.

Of course, with this new format, not only that smaller countries/leagues are struggled to cause an upset in the UCL like what happened to APOEL in the past, but we might not be able to see teams who were relegated from the UCL group stage to win the UEL. Sevilla can only win the UEL if they participated in this competition at the start, not after getting relegated from the UCL. Same goes to Olympiacos winning the UECL the last season after playing in the UEL group stage.

Good post , fully agree on your points.
It's just a corrupted shit system now with uefa/FIFA, having countries that should not host the WC hosting it.
Sad world

 

[PES4eva]

I'm quite sure we'll see a super league soon, or have the uefa nipped that in the bud with this new system?

Who knows, all I see is smaller countries/leagues not being able to make an upset in the CL anymore, since it's more and more tws the big leagues and their needs to be in the CL every year.

Pretty sure big teams will get a automatic spot even if finishing low in their respective league, all to satisfy them from Uefa
Bleak future mate

I don't know about seeing a super league, I mean they attempted to create that and it crumbled pretty quick. Plus, the premier league is so far ahead financially that I don't think there would be any need for a PL team to join it. I don't think German teams would join because each club is part owned by fans and always having a majority +1 vote on decisions (which is how I think all Clubs around the globe should be owned) I can't discount teams from Spain and Italy though. I'm especially sure the Italian teams (maybe not the fans though) would love to join a super league just to try and generate money to compete with the Premier League.

 

[rockstrongo]

Just realised (not just TBF) that most of the really fun/great players are retiring or about to retire within a few years, the players that break patterns and play pretty much in their own dimension.
Yeah, miss the greats from the 80-90-00s as well, but CR7 is in a shit league, Messi in a league I can't really take serious (Vs the big leagues in Europe and Champions League etc) Toni Kroos retired, when Neymar was great he was so entertaining, now a former shadow of himself, Luka Modric, still amazing but maybe this is the last season, Zlatan retired two seasons ago.
Salah will probably finish off in UAE

I can't be excited for Harry Kane, Mbappe or Vinicius (though he's the closest to what I like) or Bellingham, or for that matter Håland.
For my football interest ,its very bleak looking the say the least.
Don't think it matters what the future holds, we will never see a Messi/CR7/Zlatan again.
Just players running in pre destined patterns because that's what's required nowadays, and players train/react/play to that

 

[PES4eva]

Just realised (not just TBF) that most of the really fun/great players are retiring or about to retire within a few years, the players that break patterns and play pretty much in their own dimension.
Yeah, miss the greats from the 80-90-00s as well, but CR7 is in a shit league, Messi in a league I can't really take serious (Vs the big leagues in Europe and Champions League etc) Toni Kroos retired, when Neymar was great he was so entertaining, now a former shadow of himself, Luka Modric, still amazing but maybe this is the last season, Zlatan retired two seasons ago.
Salah will probably finish off in UAE

I can't be excited for Harry Kane, Mbappe or Vinicius (though he's the closest to what I like) or Bellingham, or for that matter Håland.
For my football interest ,its very bleak looking the say the least.
Don't think it matters what the future holds, we will never see a Messi/CR7/Zlatan again.
Just players running in pre destined patterns because that's what's required nowadays, and players train/react/play to that

We'll see yet more wingers who run with ball and then cut inside. Yawn. I'm sick to death of inverted wingers and 1 centre forward. Bring back centre forward partnerships and crosses into the box! The ball is constantly on the ground. All the best goals like volleys, overhead kicks and power headers come from the ball being in the air. It would be nice to see a bit of variety in the modern game.
The thing that really annoys me though is the back passing to the keeper. The defence won't hoof it up the field because they want to keep the ball so the ball goes back to the keeper in order for the keeper to find a perfect pass (usually right back to the defender). In reality the defence play passy passy and the the ball goes back to the keeper and the opposition pressure the back like and the goalkeeper so much that he's got to hoof it up the field anyway. They could have saved us 2 to 3 minutes of this snooze fest and just smack it up the field in the first place.

 

[Joga]

The thing that really annoys me though is the back passing to the keeper. The defence won't hoof it up the field because they want to keep the ball so the ball goes back to the keeper in order for the keeper to find a perfect pass (usually right back to the defender). In reality the defence play passy passy and the the ball goes back to the keeper and the opposition pressure the back like and the goalkeeper so much that he's got to hoof it up the field anyway. They could have saved us 2 to 3 minutes of this snooze fest and just smack it up the field in the first place.

.. so well said. I'm so over watching this play out in every game.

You either have the conviction to do it properly, or don't do it.
I've ranted about the Pep wannabe's here before, but all you have to do is find a full match of Barca in circa 2008-10 ..

There is no hesitation. All 11 players know exactly what to do & where to be.
There is no panic. Even if the opposition are pressing hard, YOU STILL play the ball to Xavi's feet.
But this team took over 10 years to build.

These new managers all want to do this, but they don't have the tools.
The new gen of players doesn't have the concentration or the dedication to play like this.
More importantly, they don't have the BALLS!

 

[rockstrongo]

We'll see yet more wingers who run with ball and then cut inside. Yawn. I'm sick to death of inverted wingers and 1 centre forward. Bring back centre forward partnerships and crosses into the box! The ball is constantly on the ground. All the best goals like volleys, overhead kicks and power headers come from the ball being in the air. It would be nice to see a bit of variety in the modern game.
The thing that really annoys me though is the back passing to the keeper. The defence won't hoof it up the field because they want to keep the ball so the ball goes back to the keeper in order for the keeper to find a perfect pass (usually right back to the defender). In reality the defence play passy passy and the the ball goes back to the keeper and the opposition pressure the back like and the goalkeeper so much that he's got to hoof it up the field anyway. They could have saved us 2 to 3 minutes of this snooze fest and just smack it up the field in the first place.

Just like our world history, think we need to get this as far as possible before it turns back again, think things go in cycles, but one key is that its such a massive business nowadays, therefore everyone follows everyone elses tactics etc.
yeah love to see the old fast/big partnership up front again

 

[rockstrongo]

Off and on between various games today, but the Fiorentina Juventus game was a real cracker (3-0)
Bet there will be things happening in Juventus the coming days i guess after this and the previous game that was a loss vs Atalanta (4-0)
Wonder when that happened the last time, Juventus losing two games like this.

And the Athleti v Barcelona game right now is so good as well (2-2 after 80 min)

 

[rockstrongo]

And Barcelona scores 3-2 in the 92nd minute, if this stays (Athleti from 2-0 up to 2-3 down) Athletis nightmare week continues.

 

[rockstrongo]

Make that 4-2 (4 Barca goals in 18 min) Barca

 

[PES4eva]

 

[rockstrongo]

Watching the Merseyside derby, and how shit is Liverpool right now, and Van Dijk is having a league one day.
0-0 after 35 min but Everton has had the sharpest chances (one in the post and a disallowed goal)

 

[rockstrongo]

And don't get me started on how VAR is used in The PL (and other leagues)
Absolutely horrendous, ref/Var not giving a red on Tarkowski and a pen on Pickford.
Worst thing to happen to football

 

[PES4eva]

Watching the Merseyside derby, and how shit is Liverpool right now, and Van Dijk is having a league one day.
0-0 after 35 min but Everton has had the sharpest chances (one in the post and a disallowed goal)

Unfortunately Liverpool continue to win. Id love Liverpool to start failing and Notts Forest to go on the rampage and win the league. I'm a dreamer 😄

Edit: You know my feeling on VAR... 🤮

 

[rockstrongo]

Unfortunately Liverpool continue to win. Id love Liverpool to start failing and Notts Forest to go on the rampage and win the league. I'm a dreamer 😄

Edit: You know my feeling on VAR... 🤮

You might get get your wish though mate, not a good game by Liverpool , looked shaky in the back and pretty blunt up front.
Forest have been a nice suprise for sure

 

[PES4eva]

You might get get your wish though mate, not a good game by Liverpool , looked shaky in the back and pretty blunt up front.
Forest have been a nice suprise for sure

Although I do wish it, I feel the gap is too big to close at this late stage. Forrest are third and they're 20 points behind Liverpool. Arsenal are second and they're 15 points behind. Even for Arsenal to close a 15 point gap that would be a miracle. I've begrudgingly submitted to the fact that the enemy is lifting the trophy this year 😂
I'm very interested to see Forrest in the champions league next season though, that will be great. After such a long wait, I'm sure their fans will see it as they're back where they belong too. Going to be very intriguing to watch them in Europe next season.

 

[rockstrongo]

Although I do wish it, I feel the gap is too big to close at this late stage. Forrest are third and they're 20 points behind Liverpool. Arsenal are second and they're 15 points behind. Even for Arsenal to close a 15 point gap that would be a miracle. I've begrudgingly submitted to the fact that the enemy is lifting the trophy this year 😂
I'm very interested to see Forrest in the champions league next season though, that will be great. After such a long wait, I'm sure their fans will see it as they're back where they belong too. Going to be very intriguing to watch them in Europe next season.

nah I don't think Liverpool will "spurs" it and drop the title.
But they've been shit lately, completely outplayed by PSG and very bad Vs Newcastle
So guess arsenal will close the gap a bit more but never catch up really

 

[PES4eva]

nah I don't think Liverpool will "spurs" it and drop the title.
But they've been shit lately, completely outplayed by PSG and very bad Vs Newcastle
So guess arsenal will close the gap a bit more but never catch up really

"Spurs it" This man speaks the stone cold truth 😂
Yeah the league title race is over basically.

 

[Ravager29586]

Liverpool might be lucky enough to win the Premier League this time due to the 13 points gap they got, even though Arsenal got a win over Fulham the day before. Their performance against Everton was quite abysmal. I think they look so tired, especially after they bottled the Quadruple within just 2 months (lost to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup and got outclassed by PSG and Newcastle United in the Champions League and the EFL Cup Final respectively). Even worse, there was a dubious referee decision that denied one Everton player for getting sent off, among with the other VAR calls that really changed the course of game itself. In short, Arsenal will probably close the gap by the end of the season but never catch up really, even if they beat Liverpool in the next month these two teams met each other at Anfield.

At least, what happened to Liverpool more recently doesn't really transpired to Atletico Madrid in La Liga and Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga when it comes to trophies. Feel very sad for both of them. They could end this season trophyless after their own heartbreaks in both Champions League and the domestic competition, while also weren't in a good position for the league title race. Xabi Alonso's side had even suffered one of the greatest setbacks in the German Football after losing to 3rd tier side Arminia Bielefeld in the German Cup (DFB Pokal) semifinal.

 

[rockstrongo]

Liverpool might be lucky enough to win the Premier League this time due to the 13 points gap they got, even though Arsenal got a win over Fulham the day before. Their performance against Everton was quite abysmal. I think they look so tired, especially after they bottled the Quadruple within just 2 months (lost to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup and got outclassed by PSG and Newcastle United in the Champions League and the EFL Cup Final respectively). Even worse, there was a dubious referee decision that denied one Everton player for getting sent off, among with the other VAR calls that really changed the course of game itself. In short, Arsenal will probably close the gap by the end of the season but never catch up really, even if they beat Liverpool in the next month these two teams met each other at Anfield.

At least, what happened to Liverpool more recently doesn't really transpired to Atletico Madrid in La Liga and Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga when it comes to trophies. Feel very sad for both of them. They could end this season trophyless after their own heartbreaks in both Champions League and the domestic competition, while also weren't in a good position for the league title race. Xabi Alonso's side had even suffered one of the greatest setbacks in the German Football after losing to 3rd tier side Arminia Bielefeld in the German Cup (DFB Pokal) semifinal.

Bayer is pretty much repeating their 2002 s ason when they lost the league/DFB pokal and the champions league final all in just a few weeks

 

[Ravager29586]

Bayer is pretty much repeating their 2002 s ason when they lost the league/DFB pokal and the champions league final all in just a few weeks

But this season is pretty much worse for Bayer. Getting knocked out in the Champions League Round of 16 and were six points adrift from the top spot in the Bundesliga table, both by Bayern Munich, isn't a good deal for Xabi Alonso's side to have another good campaign after they had almost did the "Invincible Treble" the last season (only lost once throughout that season, which was a shock defeat in the Europa League Final against Atalanta).

And let's not forget that 5 Leverkusen players featured in that 2001-02 season were bottling their chances with Germany as well in the World Cup Final. Michael Ballack himself had even missed that game due to the suspension.

 

[Njorgo7]

But this season is pretty much worse for Bayer. Getting knocked out in the Champions League Round of 16 and were six points adrift from the top spot in the Bundesliga table, both by Bayern Munich, isn't a good deal for Xabi Alonso's side to have another good campaign after they had almost did the "Invincible Treble" the last season (only lost once throughout that season, which was a shock defeat in the Europa League Final against Atalanta).

And let's not forget that 5 Leverkusen players featured in that 2001-02 season were bottling their chances with Germany as well in the World Cup Final. Michael Ballack himself had even missed that game due to the suspension.

Throughout the majority of this season, we have been very complacent, thinking we will win games on autopilot. What Alonso's done to this club in the 2.5 years since his appointment will never be forgotten, but there's a sense that we could've achieved more. His team selections cost us the UEL Final vs Atalanta, and his persistence with starting second-choice goalie Kovar in the first leg against Bayern backfired massively. Alonso had never lost to them until then, and they were there for the taking (Celtic gave them a run for their money). Kovar made a huge blunder that will be the defining image of his time here, and it's increasingly likely he will depart in the summer.

Wirtz has dug us out so many times this year to the point we were over relying on him. Then he gets injured vs Bremen before the international break. Either side of the break we came back from the dead vs Stuttgart and victory against Bochum. Onto Tuesday, Bielefeld deserved to win, there was no urgency or creativity from us in the 2nd half. Aleix Garcia, who we signed from Girona, played brilliantly on Friday vs Bochum. Never came off the bench vs Bielefeld, same with Buendia who we loaned in from Aston Villa.

Then we have Jonas Hofmann, who arrived from Gladbach in the summer of 2023 and immediately hit the ground running, sharing the creative burden with Wirtz. The hinrunde of last season he was sensational, but something happened during that winter break (which will probably be revealed in the future) and his playing time has gotten lesser and lesser and it's quite obvious he will be leaving in the summer.