"We're starting to figure out the rhythm for the new, 36-team Champions League and its league phase. The early matchdays aren't particularly do-or-die and the stakes are low, but the less work you get done early, the more you leave yourself later on. Paris Saint-Germain took only four points from their first five matchdays last year, had to rally late to qualify for the knockout rounds, then had to face Liverpool in the round of 16."
"That they knocked Liverpool off on the way to winning the title doesn't change the fact that they didn't make life easy on themselves. This time around, most of the big names have gotten off to a reasonable start, though Liverpool, Barcelona, Chelsea, Newcastle and Atletico Madrid have all lost a match and Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen are among the teams stuck at two points."
The 36-team Champions League league phase features low-stakes early matchdays that allow teams to recover while creating future pressure for teams that fail to secure points early. Paris Saint-Germain's four-point start last year required a late rally and a difficult round-of-16 tie against Liverpool despite ultimately winning the tournament. Several major clubs have already lost matches or sit with limited points, including Liverpool, Barcelona, Chelsea, Newcastle, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen. Azerbaijani champion Qarabag's perfect start through two matchdays provides an enjoyable upset and emphasizes how the expanded format can produce surprising storylines alongside familiar contenders.
Read at ESPN.com
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