The Champions League format needs to change

We're not going back to the old European Cup, but let's mix it up a bit

Play knockout games, Group stages are just a way to make money

Atletico, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City are into the last 16. Real Madrid, Chelsea and PSG are one point away, so I'll gamble and say that's 7 in with 9 still to be decided.

My bet would be Manchester United, Bayer Leverkeusen, Juventus, Benfica, Shalke, AC Milan, Zenit St Petersburg, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal.

I'm bound to be wrong on one or two, but let's play the hypothetical game for a minute.

Those 16 would make up some fantastic knockout ties, but most football fans would probably have picked at least 12 of those 16 to qualify. So it makes me think again about the validity of the group stages, and whether they are just a way for UEFA to really coin in the TV money. We all know it's true, but it's such a long, drawn-out competition that maybe it needs to be reduced so that we can get the interest back in every game. Group stages are just a way of ensuring every team gets on TV, earns some money and showcases their best players for the bigger teams to buy the next season.

Barcelona v AC Milan was exciting to watch, as was Real Madrid v Juventus, but these massive ties don't have the same significance or importance when they could happen 4 times a season. Let them slug it out once (well twice as the home and away legs are still a factor), and the winner advances.

Oh, but then we won't see Messi v Balotelli or Ronaldo v Pirlo in the latter stages - sure we will, just seed the teams from 1 to 32, It may not be the Champions 'League' anymore, but it gives the smaller teams a chance to progress, places some importance on every game and doesn't just keep lining the pockets of the bigger teams.

Oh, I'm suggesting going back to the old European Cup when the Champions of each league played each other? Yes, and no. Sepp Blatter can keep the money from having 4 English teams, 4 Spanish, Bayern, PSG etc, but we won't have to endure months of games that lead us to the same end - and it creates a fairer system where smaller teams can advance, because ask a Milan fan now about that epic tie with Barcelona in the Champions League, and he/she will say, "When? In 2013, 12, 11, 06, 04?" Or something like that in Italian!

Lots of reasons to love the Europa League

There are 3 qualifying rounds (starting in early July), a playoff round, 12 groups of 4, a knockout stage involving 32 teams all head of a final in May - which this year takes place at Juventus' stadium.

Welcome to UEFA's Europa League.

It seems like a lot of games, but having replaced the UEFA Cup and the Cup Winners Cup, you'd have to expect that there would be an avenue for every country in Europe to be able to field a side in European club competition.

And nobody expects the teams from Andorra or San Marino to make the group stages, let alone the knockout stages. But they are entitled to get their chance.

Having played with pros who represented Wales playing for Total Network Solutions (now TNS or The New Saints), they have told me of how great the experience was, how it was their only chance to really play in big stadiums against really good, even great, players.

And it's not just great for the players, the clubs and fans get to see sides they would otherwise never face - a trip to Croatia, a Thursday night in Bilbao or a long weekend in Latvia, all sound great. I'm not saying Manchester United fans get bored of playing Barcelona or Bayern Munich, but the Champions League has become a little repetitive. And the way they're going, United may even jump at the chance of the Europa League next year!

People say Jermain Defoe loves the competition. But let's be harsh/critical/honest here - it's one of the only chances he gets to play a whole game. There are the FA Cup games, League Cup and a few substitute appearances, but not too much more these days. The Europa League gives bigger teams the chance to try out their youngsters, rehab players from injuries and get people back into form.

It's not a reserves league though. The competition is strong, with Porto, Atletico Madrid (twice) and Chelsea winning the tournament - I'm sure players like Falcao and Fernando Torres appreciate it and display the medals - and you know Rafa Benitez does.

It doesn't get the respects it deserves, and maybe the Thursday night takes its toll on teams for the following weekend, but it's interesting, compelling and exciting European football.

If only I could find somewhere to watch it!

Balotelli not helping the game with theatrics

Watching Mario Balotelli is frustrating, enjoyable, infuriating, a train wreck, fantastic and annoying at at once.

An amazing talent, there's no denying that.

A nutcase, genius specimen of a baby is kinda how I would describe him.

He can do it all, but then you see him do what he did against Ajax yesterday to deny them a point in the 93rd minute. He fouls the defender, yet cons the referee into giving Milan a penalty (which he scores himself).

Cut it out Mario. Or maybe UEFA/FIFA should actually tell those officials behind the goal to do something!

Celtic contact UEFA ahead of Barcelona game

With no Messi and being away from home, they may only get one!

Pretenders or real challengers to Bayern's Champions League title?

Bayern Munich start the defense of their Champions League title today against CSKA Moscow, in a group with Manchester City and Victoria Plzen of the Czech Republic. Bayern and City should advance, with not too many wild cards expected to get out of the group stages. But the knockout stages should be really exciting this year - the usual suspects should be joined by teams like Napoli, Athletico Madrid, PSG and Shalke 04.

Napoli have the toughest group, with Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Marseille, but they have looked fantastic in Serie A so far, with Gonzalo Higuain and Marik Hamsik bound to be a handful for any of Europe's top defenses, let alone Arsenal's.

It's hard to look past Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but the English teams may prefer the underdog tag after years of being the teams to beat. Juventus and Napoli have really strengthened over the summer and should compete at the latter stages, and PSG really have to reach the last 8 to even begin to justify the money they have spent.

And here's the beauty of the Champions League. All these big teams expect to advance. Their Chairmen pay huge salaries and transfer fees to reach this stage, and anything less than the knockout stages is a huge failure. But they can't all get to the last 4, and it usually means a manager will lose their job, and even more money will be thrown at the 'project' the next year.

It can't survive the way it is without someone going bust soon. But that's a story for another day.

Today, let's sit back, enjoy the music and see some top quality football. Bayern may have a tough task ahead to try and defend their title, but don't rule them out - they have to be the joint-favorites along with Barcelona, for now.

Mourinho to learn new names in Super Cup...West Ham to sign Kaka?

It seems like the Premier League is all about Sunday again – not too many great games on Saturday (Palace v Sunderland seems the low point), but then Liverpool v Man United and Arsenal v Tottenham on September 1.

The transfer window remains open until Monday, so don’t be surprised if Mark Hughes or Sam Allardyce makes a panic buy depending on who wins the West Ham v Stoke game. Big Sam to pick up Kaka after he requested a transfer from Real Madrid – could he be the next Okocha, Hierro or Djorkaeff?!

I’m hoping the Bale deal will be done by the time you read this. He’s going to Chelsea, we’ve known it all along. They are woefully short of midfielders, and he could play with some of the best strikers from 2008 if he went there. I don’t really understand the financial fair play rules, but Chelsea have a squad of 53 and pay them all a fortune – I wouldn’t be surprised if they are still paying Winston Bogarde!

***

  

We have to wait until Sunday for Marseille v Monaco in Ligue Un – should be a good one, with a proper crowd seeing as Marseille are at home. Juventus v Lazio and Valencia v Barcelona are the two other standout games for me this weekend. Should be interesting to see how Tevez and Co are blending into a team, and how Valencia do now that they have sold Soldado to Spurs.

*** 

And then there’s the Super Cup between Bayern Munich (the Champions League winners) and Chelsea (the Europe League winners). It’s being played in Prague – which is in the Czech Republic for those of you who failed geography (near Russia for Americans) – and is the first time in 15 years this game has been played anywhere but Monaco. Falcao bagged a great hat-trick for Atletico Madrid v Chelsea last year, and Jose Mourinho’s team may struggle again this year.

Bayern are a very strong team that have been playing together for a few years. Mourinho would have to be a genius just to remember the names of all the players in his squad – it might mean games for Victor Moses, Ryan Bertrand and Marco van Ginkel, and surely Paulo Ferrera will play in another big game (he must still be there, surely). 2-1 to Bayern for me, but I lose so much money gambling, that it’s best to bet against me.

Polish fans to UEFA: We disagree

Earlier this month, Legia Warsaw supporters were fined for 'racist behavior' in a Champions League qualifying match against Wales' New Saints FC. Tonight--before their 3-3 global draw against Romanian side Steaua Bucharest that saw them ousted from the tournament's preliminary ties--the ultras responded in kind to Europe's football governing body:

Pelotas' look ahead to Wednesday tilts

Tio Pelotas provides a small glimpse of what's to come on a fun FIFA friendly day

So it's friendly-match day. Some of us don't care because they're just that---friendlies--while others do because it's more football in the middle of August. With summer winding down here in the States, school about to start and, oh yeah, World Cup qualifiers, major European campaigns and MLS playoffs nearing, let's look at some of the matches on tap for tomorrow:

South Korea-Peru (5am) - South Korea went to the World Cup semifinals in 2002; Peru went to the World Cup in 1982. This has 0-0 written all over it.

Chile-Iraq (noon) - Iraq is rebuilding and will face the wrath of Chile's attack. Chile reportedly will play Iran in its next friendly. No word or confirmation if North Korea is on tap as well.

Colombia-Serbia (2pm) - Radamel Falcao is rich, good-looking, scored on his Ligue 1 debut over the weekend, just became a dad and his side is close to a World Cup ticket, its first in more than 15 years. Now he's the most interesting man in the world.

Bosnia-USA (2:30pm) - Clint Dempsey is big news in the US but won't be in Bosnia for this friendly. No problem. Maybe. OK, crap, 'merica may be in trouble. Bosnia is a scary side, ranked 13th in the world, has a goal differential of plus-20 in their qualifying group after six matches without a defeat. 

Italy-Argentina (2:45pm) - So who does avid footy fan Pope Francis root for in this one? (I know, I know, the whole world used that one today.)

Switzerland-Brazil (2:45pm) - Neymar avoided a press conference, just hours ahead of the match, leaving the band of journalists fuming. But poor Neymar was still reeling after being profiled at a local boutique when told a handbag he wanted to look at was too expensive for him.

England-Scotland (3pm) - For the good of this historic rivalry match, please invite Gazza. Oh, and Wayne Rooney too.

Belgium-France (3pm) - Yes, England is not involved here but between these two sides, there's around 20 Premier League players. 20.

Portugal-Netherlands (3:30pm) - Of course all eyes will be on Ronaldo and Robin van Persie but the true supporters will be on the lookout to see whose gonads Pepe will stomp on.

Ecuador-Spain (4pm) - Both sides will honor the late Christian Benitez, who died last month at 27. The match will take place in Guayaquil, Ecuador, home of Barcelona SC, 6000 miles away from the Nou Camp, home of FC Barcelona.

Mexico-Ivory Coast (9pm) - No Chicharito but we do have Drogba, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou and Yaya Toure here in Giants Stadium (not calling it MetLife) in the beautiful outskirts of northern New Jersey. Mexico manager Chepo de la Torre will be seeking out help from state troopers if results don't go his way because you can bet there will be a sea of angry Mexican supporters.

Football Never Sleeps

The Champions League is up and running already

How can they spend all that money if they never stop playing?

It's hard to believe, but on July 16th, we're already in the Second Qualifying Stage of the UEFA Champions League.

I miss the European Cup, when teams that entered were legitimately the winners of their country's league. There are now up to four entrants from the bigger leagues (England, Spain, Germany etc.) due to their revenue generating potential, which means some teams with great histories are being forced to play in the middle of summer just to get their shot at Europe's top club competition.

I'm so confused by the qualifying system - the UEFA website (uefa.com) attempts to explain it, but this sentence had me wondering if I had too much to drink last night (which can't be ruled out)...

'The ten winners in the play-off round ties – five from the best-placed path and five from the champions path – join 22 automatic entrants in the 32-team group stage.'

I get the 22 automatic entries bit, but am just too lazy to work the rest out. Teams from Andorra, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Croatia played on July 2 in the first qualifying stage - they'll really have earned that bottom place finish in the group stages, if they ever make it.

Celtic, who made it to the round of 16 last season (before Juventus hammered them 5-0), are involved in one of the 16 ties taking place over the next two days, with the second-legs next week. The draw for the third qualifying stage, where teams like Lyon and Zenit St. Petersburg enter, is on Friday July 19. Some of those teams have barely had time to consider the transfer market and shape their teams yet - but you can guarantee that teams who fail to make the group stages will lose their best players pretty quickly afterwards.

The final is at Benfica's stadium on May 24, 2014, with qualifying for the next year's competition probably starting the day after.

There has to be a better way (maybe not a way that makes as much money, but a better way).

Football never sleeps....but trying to understand the Champions League qualifying process helps me to.

-JEM