Carlo Ancelotti Criticizes New Champions League Format: “Too Many Matches”

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has voiced his frustration over UEFA’s new Champions League format, which introduces a league phase and additional pre-knockout games. The Italian coach believes football already has too many matches, and adding more only increases the burden on players.

Ancelotti on Champions League Format: “Too Many Matches”

Speaking to the media after the conclusion of the first-ever league phase, Carlo Ancelotti did not hold back in his criticism of the new structure. The competition now features a single league table instead of the traditional group stage, increasing the number of matches from six to eight before the knockout rounds.

🗣️ Ancelotti’s verdict? “Too many matches,” he said bluntly.

While he acknowledged that the format affects all teams equally, he reiterated his long-standing belief that elite football needs fewer games, not more.

Real Madrid Faces Extra Playoff Round Before Last 16

In previous seasons, finishing in the top two of a group meant automatic qualification for the Round of 16. Under the new system, only the top eight teams in the league phase advance directly.

With Real Madrid finishing 11th, Los Blancos must now navigate a two-legged play-off round just to reach the last 16. This means they could end up playing four more games than last season if they reach the final.

📅 More games, more fatigue:

• A Champions League finalist now plays up to 17 matches, compared to 13 last season.
• Madrid also faces the expanded FIFA Club World Cup this summer, extending their season into July.
• The new Intercontinental Cup adds another fixture in December.

Possible Showdown with Manchester City?

Madrid’s 11th-place finish in the league phase means there’s a 50/50 chance they could face Manchester City in the playoff round.

However, Ancelotti remains unfazed:
🗣️ “There will be a draw, and whatever comes, comes. To win the Champions League, you have to beat the biggest teams at some point anyway.”

UEFA’s Push for More Matches: A Controversial Move

The debate over fixture congestion has been ongoing for years. When UEFA expanded the tournament to 32 teams in 1999, a second group stage added six extra games, but this was removed in 2003 to reduce the burden.

Now, 21 years later, UEFA has reintroduced more matches, despite opposition from players, managers, and clubs.

💬 What do you think about the new Champions League format? Do you agree with Ancelotti that there are too many matches? Let us know in the comments!