UEFA believes that expanding the tournament to 36 teams and applying a common ranking table helps improve professional quality from the early stages, while creating clear differentiation before entering the knockout round. Teams that do not win tickets directly to the round of 16 are forced to go through the play-off round, thereby increasing the pressure and value of each match.
According to the European football governing body, the current knockout round reflects the true spirit of top-level competition of the Champions League, when big teams no longer maintain absolute advantage. The fact that many famous clubs such as Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain have to play in the play-offs is considered proof of the harshness of the new format.
European media is particularly interested in the matches in the play-offs and rounds of 16, as many matches are considered evenly matched. The confrontation between Real Madrid and Benfica is considered the focus, in the context that the Spanish team has faced many difficulties against the Portuguese representative in recent seasons. Some experts believe that this is a match rich in tactical elements and can be decided by individual moments.
In addition, matches such as AS Monaco - PSG, Atalanta - Dortmund or Juventus - Galatasaray are also highly appreciated for their competitiveness. The media believes that the level gap between teams is no longer too large, forcing championship contenders to maintain high concentration if they do not want to pay the price.
In the opposite direction, teams that directly qualify for the round of 16 such as Liverpool, Arsenal, Bayern Munich or Manchester City are considered to benefit in terms of fitness and schedule. However, experts also warn that waiting too long can affect their pace of play when entering the knockout round.
Although there are still dissenting opinions about the dense schedule and unclear advantages for high-ranking teams, UEFA affirms that the Champions League knockout round is becoming the biggest highlight of the tournament, gathering all the professional, dramatic and surprising elements.
