Platini is very satisfied with these reform measures. The biggest change of the new scheme is the adjustment of the competition system in the qualifying stage. UEFA will adopt a new two-line group promotion scheme. First of all, the champions from 40 low-level leagues will have five promotion places, which will ensure that the representatives of the five low-level leagues will appear in the group stage.
Another main line is that the top league 15 non-champion teams compete for the other five group places. The 65,438+00 teams decided by these two main lines and the 22 teams directly selected for the top leagues form the top 32 in the group stage, and then draw lots and divide them into 8 groups.
However, although this move has given more low-level league teams the opportunity to participate in the Champions League group stage, it has also expanded the interests of the giants to a certain extent. Spain, Italy and England, which rank the top three in league level points, will be directly ranked second to third in the group stage.
Another reform will be welcomed by many fans. The time of the Champions League final will be changed from Wednesday night to Saturday night, which will end the 54-year tradition of UEFA. Although the starting point of this reform is to take care of the interests of TV broadcasting and expand the popularity of the Champions League in the world. But this reform will win the support of Asian fans, including China, and American fans.