August 29th 2024.
As the new season of the Champions League approaches, fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating the start of this prestigious football competition. However, there are a couple of noticeable changes that will make this year's tournament even more exciting.
Representing the Premier League this season will be Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. But these teams will have to navigate a completely revamped format, which awaits them in today's draw. Instead of the usual group stage, each team will now face eight different opponents in a new 36-team league format.
To determine the matchups, the teams will be ranked in four seeded pots and will then be drawn against two opponents from each pot. And as always, the English sides will be kept apart in this phase of the competition. But the changes don't end there.
At the end of the league stage, the top eight teams will automatically qualify for the last-16, while the teams ranked ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged play-off for a chance to join them. This new format promises to bring even more excitement and unpredictability to the Champions League.
But it's not just the format that's changing this season. The iconic Champions League music, which has been a staple of the tournament since its rebrand in 1992, will have a new twist. Viewers will be used to the classic anthem playing over television adverts and in stadiums before each match, but UEFA officials have decided to tinker with the intro for this season.
For the first time in 18 years, the 'orchestral version' of the original track will be used, bringing back nostalgic memories for fans. This version hasn't been heard since the 2005/06 season, when Barcelona beat Arsenal 2-1 to claim their second Champions League title.
As the defending champions, Real Madrid will be looking to retain their title, after their 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley in June. But they will face strong competition from English teams, with Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa all determined to make their mark in the competition. It will also be an exciting return for Unai Emery's side, who will be competing in the Champions League for the first time since 1983.
With a new format and a touch of nostalgia, this season's Champions League promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable experience for fans and players alike. Let the games begin!
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