30-06-2022, 04:42 PM
Is the final protected in those markets, as it really should be here, well certainly if a UK team features.
I agree though the new group stage is going to ruin something that has worked so well for so long. They should have gone for 4 groups of 9 (playing 4 home, 4 away). That gives the same number of matches but is so much easier to follow.
It's going to be the same with the World Cup too in 2026 with the expansion to 48 teams and a format which will likely keep the top 16 seeds apart until the round of 16, meaning the big clashes don't occur until the 65th match onwards, whilst in the current format you're likely to get 8 of those clashes in the group stages.
I agree though the new group stage is going to ruin something that has worked so well for so long. They should have gone for 4 groups of 9 (playing 4 home, 4 away). That gives the same number of matches but is so much easier to follow.
It's going to be the same with the World Cup too in 2026 with the expansion to 48 teams and a format which will likely keep the top 16 seeds apart until the round of 16, meaning the big clashes don't occur until the 65th match onwards, whilst in the current format you're likely to get 8 of those clashes in the group stages.
@Brekkietweets