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The Swiss Model has drastically shaken up the UEFA Champions League, and the Leagues Cup may be able to learn something from it. For reference, the Swiss Model eliminated the traditional group-stage games in the UEFA Champions League. Rather than eight groups of four teams playing each other twice, there is one connected league. Thirty-six teams will play a total of eight games, with those finishing higher in this cohesive league advancing.
The Leagues Cup, on the other hand, follows a more traditional route despite having more teams. Every MLS and Liga MX team splits into 15 groups of three teams. Therefore, each team plays two games, with the top two advancing to the round of 32. Having such a limited number of games has consequences and benefits. For example, playing one poor game could set up a team for failure. That said, 32 out of 47 teams play in the knockout stages. That is 68% of all teams reaching the elimination rounds.
Shifting to the format of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League would be an interesting look. Not only does the Champions League accommodate more teams. It increases the number of fixtures. MLS and Liga MX could look into expanding the first phase to embrace more of a league look. Bumping up the number of games in that first phase could, in turn, lower the number of games in the knockout phase. For example, each team could play six first-stage games, up from two that currently exist. Each team could host three games, and each team could play three on the road. At the end of that, the top 16 teams in a league phase would advance to the knockout rounds.
It would not be perfect, and there would need to be certain accommodations for Mexican teams. Yet, it would make it more likely the best teams would advance in the event they play two games poorly. That said, it would struggle to fit into busy MLS and Liga MX schedules.
Leagues Cup with Swiss Model opens doors for more fixtures
One of the key arguments for the new-look UEFA…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/could-uefas-swiss-model-work-for-leagues-cup/
Author : Kyle Fansler
Publish date : 2024-09-30 19:57:35
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