🏆 Champions 25/26, extra time scrapped? Three possible changes 🧨 | OneFootball

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With the first edition of the new 36-team Champions League drawing to a close, clubs are discussing possible changes to the regulations.

According to information gathered by BILD, the UEFA committee will meet in Munich on May 30th to consider 3 major changes to be implemented from the next edition of the competition.

The proposals are detailed below.

No Extra Time

A major issue this season, exacerbated by the upcoming summer Club World Cup, is the excessive number of matches that players from the world's top teams are forced to play.

To alleviate this to some extent, there is a proposal to abolish extra time in the final stages of the UCL and to proceed immediately to penalty kicks. This would ensure less strain and the possibility of arriving in better condition for matches in their domestic leagues.

More Advantages for the Top 8

Under the current rules, the top 8 teams from the first phase of the competition advance directly to the round of 16 and play the return leg at home. The idea is to reward them further.

If the change is approved, if one of the Top Eight faces a team from the playoffs in the quarterfinals and/or semifinals, they would have the right to play the return match in their own stadium.

"Country Protection"

At present, it is possible to see matches between clubs representing the same nation as early as the round of 16. However, this is considered disadvantageous and too early, so a change is being discussed.

As in the old 32-team Champions League, there is a proposal to "lock" the draw also in the round of 16 by setting a ban on matches between teams from the same League. The fraternal clashes would only start from the quarterfinals.

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