Share this @internewscast.com

The video is mesmerising. Full of lively music, twinkling sounds and graphics that revolve as quickly as a fruit machine, UEFA pulled no punches to launch what they are calling ‘the new beginning.’

All these bells and whistles, of course, are to trumpet the remodified Champions League. Depending what spiel you have listened to, we are about to witness footballing nirvana – rich entertainment, glorious unpredictability and the purest form of competition, all designed to leave you breathless.

Don’t fall for it. If you do find yourself being seduced by the notion that this might be something remarkable, quickly glance at the opening scoreline from the Allianz Arena and remember what this actually is: a European Super League.

Perhaps Dinamo Zagreb will prove us wrong but their capitulation at the hands of Bayern Munich should leave you cold about what is in store for the coming months – no team with designs on being classed as elite should be given a nine-goal shellacking.

The new-look UEFA Champions League got underway across Europe this week. Pictured: The San Siro, where AC Milan welcomed Liverpool

The new-look UEFA Champions League got underway across Europe this week. Pictured: The San Siro, where AC Milan welcomed Liverpool

Harry Kane bagged four goals as Bayern Munich thrashed Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 at home

Harry Kane bagged four goals as Bayern Munich thrashed Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 at home

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (centre), pictured alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon, has championed the new format

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin (centre), pictured alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon, has championed the new format

Don’t put it down as ‘one of those nights’; if you can, re-watch the highlights. Six of the goals came in a 34-minute spell in the second half and the more Bayern’s players scored, the less they seemed to enjoy it – the way a mismatch on a local park of Sunday morning can end up: joyless.

There was nothing unpredictable about the result, in the same way there was nothing unpredictable about anything that happened on Tuesday. Liverpool winning in the San Siro against AC Milan? The story there would have been if they hadn’t won.

Aston Villa’s return to this level is wonderful to see after a 41-year absence but a 3-0 dismantling of Young Boys of Berne – Switzerland’s dominant team, who dwarf their domestic rivals financially – can’t be viewed as if they had gone to Nou Camp and done the same to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

Were you surprised to see Juventus 3 PSV Eindhoven 1? Of course you weren’t. Real Madrid beat Stuttgart, one of the sides whose arrival in the Champions League was supposed to provide some freshness and verve. Madrid didn’t play well to win 3-1 but did they need to?

In fact, will they need to play at any point between now and January 29 – the final round of 16 match nights – to go through? Of course not. The top eight of the 36 teams progress straight through to the last 16, with the team then ranked nine to 24 involved in a play-off to join them. More matches.

Liverpool recovered from an early concession to claim a comfortable win over Milan in Italy

Liverpool recovered from an early concession to claim a comfortable win over Milan in Italy

It is actually going to be harder for some not to qualify, given there enormous strength in depth compared to others who are involved. Take Madrid, the holders, as an example – yes, the trip to Anfield on November 27 is interesting but will there be jeopardy if they lose? No way.

Madrid’s final two games are against Salzburg, at home, and Brest, away. A trip to Atalanta in December could be tricky but they have Lille, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund, the last named two at home, to come before them. A place in the last 16 is waiting for them, be clear on that.

If we had a go at predicting the last 16, there’s a fair chance 13 or 14 names will be the same: Manchester City, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon and so on.

Of course there will be rip-roaring fixtures along the way – there is a freshness seeing Bayern Munich and Villa go head-to-head for the first time since 1982 – and each time you get a high-scoring shootout or a dramatic turnaround, the blasts of the PR trumpets will be even louder.

Again, however, it is important to stay clear in your thoughts. The competition has not been improved by adding more fixtures and more teams and, through December and January, there will be plenty of games across Europe that are being staged to complete the schedule.

Aston Villa made a winning return to the competition in their first European Cup appearance since 1986

Aston Villa made a winning return to the competition in their first European Cup appearance since 1986

Defending champions Real Madrid got their campaign off to the perfect start with a 3-1 win over Stuttgart

Defending champions Real Madrid got their campaign off to the perfect start with a 3-1 win over Stuttgart

When will these people in power within football remember that less is more? The European Championship has never been the same since its 16-team format became 24, the World Cup won’t be improved because more nations are participating.

In plain sight, UEFA have done away with the Champions League and launched the European Super League. This format is a convoluted joke, created with the help of AI and designed to boost bank balances. This isn’t an exciting new era: it is more, more, more of the same. And you will know how it ends.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Retired Footballer Completes 37-Hour Fitness Challenge to Honor Late Teammate Joe Thompson, Dies at 36

As the self-doubt started to bleed into Simon Ramsden’s thoughts, his legs…

England U-21s triumphantly celebrate their European Championship victory

England’s Under-21 team celebrated in grand fashion after successfully defending their European…

Shannon Sharpe’s Sexual Assault Accuser Left Without Legal Representation at Initial $50M Lawsuit Hearing

The initial hearing for Shannon Sharpe’s sexual assault lawsuit in Nevada faced…

Yoane Wissa aims to exit Brentford in a historic move to another Premier League team

Yoane Wissa is pushing to leave Brentford this summer, talkSPORT understands. The…

AC Milan Unveils Striking 2025/26 Away Kit Featuring Classic Devil Logo

AC Milan has officially revealed their away kit for the 2025/26 season,…

Newcastle’s Latest Third Kit Honors a Classic Club Appearance

Newcastle United and adidas have revealed the club’s 2025/26 season third kit…

From Joyful Beginnings to a Heartfelt Goodbye: Ave Maria Echoes from Their Wedding to Diogo Jota’s Funeral Just 13 Days Later

At the end of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva’s funeral…

Joao Pedro Geared Up for Clash: Chelsea Faces Fluminense in Club World Cup Semi-Final with Iconic Boxing Announcer in Attendance

It is believed FIFA have hired Michael Buffer — the legendary ring…

Rio Ferdinand’s 18-year-old son enters Premier League’s ‘nepo-baby’ ranks by inking first pro deal with top-performing team

Rio Ferdinand’s son Lorenz has become the latest in the expanding lineup…

Man United’s Pre-Season: Challenges of Selling Unwanted Players and the Influence of the ‘Gang of Five’ at Carrington, by Chris Wheeler

Pre-season is typically an opportunity for fresh starts and clean slates, but…

Why Arsenal is Investing £70m in Victor Gyokeres: Sporting Lisbon’s Rising Star and Brighton’s Greatest Regret

When Swansea signed a forward on loan in October 2020, it did…