Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone says the new Champions League format “forces us to win”.
The new-look 36-team league phase of Europe’s elite club competition commenced this week, replacing the previous group stage format.
All teams will play eight different opponents, with the top eight sides progressing through to the last-16. Clubs ranked ninth to 24th will enter a two-legged play-off format to progress to the knockouts.
Previously, 32 teams were divided into eight groups of four, with the top two sides from each phase progressing.
“This format forces us to win, in this match a draw would be of little use,” Simeone said.
“The format requires us to try to win, then, if we can’t, we will have to get something out of it. Those who win the most will be in the group of eight to qualify and who will not have to play two more games.”
The 54-year-old Simeone oversaw Atletico’s 2-1 victory at home against RB Leipzig on Thursday in their opening fixture as Jose Maria Gimenez scored the winning goal in the 90th minute.
The Champions League round of 16 and beyond will now be seeded, so the teams who finish first and second in the league phase cannot face each other until the final.
In total, there will be 189 matches in the competition, capped by the final in Munich on May 31, 2025, up from the previous 125.
Atletico are second in La Liga with 11 points from their opening five matches, returning to league action on Sunday against Rayo Vallecano. They will face a trip to Benfica on October 2 in their next Champions League fixture.
(Oliver Hardt – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
