UEFA consider changing Champions League rule after Arsenal, Real paired
UEFA are reportedly contemplating a significant rule alteration ahead of the next season’s Champions League.
This season saw UEFA revamp the format, introducing a league phase where all 36 teams were ranked in a single group instead of separate ones. The top eight teams progressed directly to the last 16, while the subsequent 16 clubs competed in the play-offs for a place in the next round.
The existing rules dictate that those in the top eight are assured of playing the second leg of their last 16 matches at home. However, this does not extend to the quarterfinals or semifinals, and there has been some criticism over the fact that Arsenal are scheduled to play the second leg of their encounter with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
This is despite Arsenal finishing third in the league table, while Madrid ended up in 11th place.
According to a report from London’s Daily Mail, UEFA will discuss whether they should amend this next season.
It is suggested that there is a ‘growing belief’ that merely having seeded second legs for last 16 matches does not sufficiently reward clubs who excelled in the league phase.
Despite these concerns, Arsenal are in a very strong position heading into the second leg of their clash with Madrid. Arsenal dominated the first leg at the Emirates, with two Declan Rice free-kicks and a Mikel Merino goal securing them a 3-0 victory.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is well aware of the challenge Real Madrid presents at the Bernabeu. Reflecting on the first leg, he said: “I’m very proud, we had a very complete and big performance collectively and you need that in the organisation and what we had to do to dominate the game and to create Madrid problems.
“This night is about all two factors, one is the atmosphere that we created 15 minutes before kick-off is something I haven’t seen before, so playing with that energy, with that commitment with your crowd makes a huge difference.
“And then magic moments, individual moments that decide all matches and the first two goals of Declan sums up the night. We’re going to enjoy the win, because we feel we deserve to do that, but we know it’s just half-time, and we’re going to have to be even better in Madrid to go through.”
