Tuchel Opposes New Champions League Format
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has voiced his discontent over the new UEFA Champions League reforms.
From 2024, Europe’s premier club competition will feature 36 teams instead of the current 32 and participating teams will play four more games in the group stages.
Tuchel believes players are being overburdened with the number of games played in a season, citing the formation of the UEFA Nations League and the expansion of the FIFA Club World Cup as examples.
"I am not sure if I like it because I can only see many more games in the schedule that we have. It is very hard for me to get excited about it," Tuchel said ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.
"With these discussions about the Super League, we forget that we now have a new format in the Champions League. Did they ask any coach about it? I don’t think so. Did they ask any players about it? I don’t think so.
"We have a Nations League, a new championship for the clubs, so much more stuff and so many more games, European Championships in the summer, it is just more and more games. Who should play these games?
"At the same time, we have only three substitutes per game here in the Premier League. No, I am not happy about this format."
