Fresh format here to stay

New format
European football's governing body decided two years ago to abolish the previous format involving two group stages and launch a single 32-team group phase, followed by a 16-team knockout round. The new format came into force last season, and proved its worth with a number of memorable two-legged ties.

Increased excitement
The format change was introduced not only to ease the burden on the top players by reducing the number of matches played, but also to increase the excitement with the last 16 sides striving to avoid elimination over two legs. "For the moment, the new format is working," UEFA President Lennart Johansson told uefa.com.

Positive opinions
"You have to adapt to market circumstances and be flexible, and what we have done with the Champions League was the right thing to do. That is now the opinion of those involved - the coaches, the players, the clubs and the television companies. This format is here to stay for a number of years," he added.

Added intensity
Europe's top club coaches endorsed the switch at the UEFA Elite Coaches' Forum in the autumn. Although some of the coaches saw their teams eliminated earlier than they would have wished in last season's knockout stages, they said the new Champions League format had brought added intensity for participants and spectators.