Champions League Matches Increased, Ibrahimovic: That’s What Fans Want

Monaco, Todaysgist.com – The new format of the 2024/2025 Champions League is certain to increase the number of matches compared to the previous season. A total of 144 matches will take place before reaching the knockout stage. This number is much more than the previous season, which was 96 matches.

In the first round alone, there are 36 clubs, each team will play eight matches. From the 36 clubs, 16 teams will be selected to enter the knockout round.

Regarding the new Champions League system, former Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic also commented. According to him, the new format of the tournament is what the fans want.

Ibrahimovic, who was present at the Champions League draw in Monaco, also joked with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. “The Champions League can be considered a Super League,” he told Ceferin.

The UEFA president immediately raised his finger to silence Ibrahimovic. “I told you that the tournament (Super League) cannot be held,” he said in a serious tone.

Both of them then burst out laughing. For information, the Super League was once initiated by a number of elite clubs in Europe. They wanted a competition only for elite European clubs. However, the Super League proposal failed because it was not given permission by UEFA.