Bloated Champions League is like watching Harlem's Globetrotters, and not in a good way, writes Matt Barlow


Meaning should return to European football this week as the rambling and incoherent first phase finally draws to a close.

A grand total of 126 games have already been played and the Champions League comes down to whether Manchester City can beat Club Brugge at home or whether Paris Saint-Germain could be a Cropper in Stuttgart.

There is a little more in the Europa League, but there always is and that is where the intrigue ends. Some clubs may have a playoff round they prefer to avoid, but all 12 of the 36 teams live to fight another day.

There seems to be a lot more jetting around Europe for no reason to me, although I am aware that there is a lot of love for it, particularly emanating from the world of television where dizzying pundits, including some of the most influential voices in football, showering with overpeniocusm.

Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards are riding high on the new dawn. Gary Lineker is intoxicated by the new concept that it's almost February and Celtic are still in it. Normally level-headed ally McCoist is seven game days deep and confesses failing to find everything a little more appealing than he expected.

This is, lest we forget, a format designed for television. Those who own or work for television companies will surely find their taste. Just like those who watch their football on television.

Celtic have benefited from the new format, still finding themselves in Europe in February

Celtic have benefited from the new format, still finding themselves in Europe in February

It has been a struggle for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in Europe but qualification remains in their own hands as they aim to beat Club Brugge at home this week

It has been a struggle for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in Europe but qualification remains in their own hands as they aim to beat Club Brugge at home this week

Barcelona star Raphinha celebrates scoring a 96th minute as they beat Benfica 5-4

Barcelona star Raphinha celebrates scoring a 96th minute as they beat Benfica 5-4

As long as they can keep at various start times and remember there is a hidden game on Amazon Prime.

More teams, more games, more 'big showdowns' between global giants showcasing the world's most famous players. That was UEFA's vision, a consolation to appease those tempted by the escape from the Super League and they will feel that they have achieved their objective.

In each competition, there are 36 teams not 32 involved for five months of the year, not four, with four lucrative home games, not three and 12 teams in the first outing, not 16.

The warm additional layers of comfort and financial security, along with a fixture format no one can understand until the clouds part at this stage, provide a carefree air similar to pre-season friendlies.

Less danger and more exposure, the line is good.

There was a touch of Harlem Globetrotters on Barcelona 5 Benfica 4. Even the referee leaned down to protect the audience's darlings from the armchair.

Caution has gone with the wind. Draws have dropped from more than 40 percent last season to just over 25 percent in the Champions League and goals have increased, although they are not 3.22 per game.

However, the trends are not reflected in the Europa League, where goals per game have fallen and draws have almost doubled.

Aston Villa sit just outside the automatic qualification places after their defeat by Monaco

Aston Villa sit just outside the automatic qualification places after their defeat by Monaco

The format has been pushed out by the likes of Amazon Prime, anchored here by Gabby Logan

The format has been pushed out by the likes of Amazon Prime, anchored here by Gabby Logan

The Champions League, won last year by Real Madrid, always delivers in the elimination stages

The Champions League, won last year by Real Madrid, always delivers in the elimination stages

It's true that football should be about goals and fun and entertainment. Part of me thinks I should relax and say it like the team of experts. Enjoy the party and stop lamenting the strange sporting pleasure of a goalless draw in a far away city.

And that would be easier if it weren't for the persistent concern about football drifting, loosening the ties that bind the English pyramid system, removing traditions to make room for a bloated mass of corporate event spectaculars with choreographed anthems, loud ticket prices and no senior concessions.

One more step towards becoming a television sport. Next up, the Club World Cup when FIFA gets its take on all this. Good luck to the players trying to stay fit enough for 10 years at the top and to hell with the match fans.

Still, at least there is meaning this week. We all know that the elimination stages will be brilliant. They are always due to the consequence. Elite cup soccer elite with instant danger never fails.

Ange Postecoglou wants bigger squad sizes to help clubs cope with a congested schedule, but Tottenham would help themselves by simply maximizing the numbers available.

They started this season by naming just 23 in the Premier League squad, limited to 25 senior players. Four of these were goalkeepers.

Among the 19 outfield players, there was Max Robson, a 22-year-old utility player who has never been in the first team, Sergio Reguilon, who they have been desperate to sell for two years, and DJed Spence, who didn't look A interested until he was the last resort.

That's 16 outfield players who started the season in the manager's plans, compounded by the fact they haven't provided enough criticism through the academy for years.

Ange Postecoglou (right) has been forced to rely too much on youngsters like Archie Gray

Ange Postecoglou (right) has been forced to rely too much on youngsters like Archie Gray

Those on the under-21 list such as Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Mikey Moore are gifted players, but precious young stars must be protected and used carefully. After three months on the team, Gray and Bergvall could do with a break.

The injury crisis is extreme at Spurs, they have lost the key men in the backbone of the team, but they knew the risk of entering the light of the season, they made a mistake and have paid a price.

Five things I learned this week

With Manchester City on a January spree, a teenage striker they bought a year ago lit up the early stages of the South American U20 Championship. Claudio Echeverri scored twice as Argentina beat Brazil 6-0 in their first match in Venezuela. The £12.5million 19-year-old has been on loan at River Plate and had hoped to join City after the tournament. Bournemouth's new left-winger Julio Soler also started for Argentina.

It's great to see Iliman Ndiaye spreading his wings at Everton. He was adored at Sheffield United, where his brilliant academy took him out of non-league football and honed his raw talent with the help of a loan spell at Hyde United, which he drew with Morpeth in front of 542 fans in the northern premiership La league on Saturday, while Ndiaye was ruffled feathers with his seagull celebration. If there's a card that needs flipping, that's probably the one.

Once Bolton Wanderers sacked Ian Evatt and Ianevattable's inevitable banter had subsided interim boss Julian Darby stole the show. Darby is Bolton born and bred. Ballboy at Burnden Park When Frank Worthington scored his classic goal against Ipswich, he has served the club loyally as a player and academy coach. Until Saturday, when he stepped in to oversee the victory at Huddersfield in League One and brought out his one-year-old grandson Bobby to enjoy the ovation from the end. Big beautiful love from Bolton. And there could be another tomorrow when Kevin Nolan's Northampton stops by.

He picked up the January copy of the excellent German football culture magazine 11 Freunde during a trip to see Spurs in Hoffenheim. It contained a four-page feature on West Ham manager Tim Steidten, headed 'The Good German' which came with a summary of his successes at Bayer Leverkusen and the prediction that his work would soon be reflected by Success London. When I was at home, I was going out. The dangers of printing deadlines and football.

Heavyweight clubs lurk in Bundesliga 2, the second tier of German football. Six of them averaging crowds of over 40,000 this season. Schalke, wallowing in the bottom half, still attracts more than 60,000 for games in Gelsenkirchen. Hamburg, at the top, about 56,000, with Cologne close behind them. There are impressive crowds at the championship each week, but nothing quite to compare.



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By Kevin Rogers

Kevin is a seasoned sports journalist with 15 years of experience covering major leagues, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB. His dynamic commentary and expert game analysis connect with fans across all sports, ensuring reliable and engaging coverage. Phone: +1 (212) 574-9823

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