Advertisement

6 Champions League changes Celtic fans must know as revamped League Phase throws up questions

Celtic welcome some of Europe's elite to Glasgow in a revamped competition
-Credit: (Image: SNS Group)


Celtic were handed a rather favourable Champions League draw from the revamped format of the competition.

The League Phase will take place this season rather than the traditional group stages and that's where Brendan Rodgers' Hoops may well benefit. Celtic's UCL history does not make for particularly great reading for the supporters who are undoubtedly hoping for improvement this term and progress to be made as they seek knockout football for the first time in years.

It won't be the usual procedure at Parkhead, though, as fans will have to quickly get used to. Nor will it be the same away from home with some major changes made to the iconic tournament.

READ MORE: Green Brigade mock Union Bears with stolen drums and flags as 'sympathy' card sent

READ MORE: Liam Scales admits Celtic handball but harsh overturned law took club on brink of record

Football Scotland takes you through some of the tweaks made by UEFA as they bid to make clubs more cash from their qualification to the big time.

So, what's new?

There will now be 36 teams playing in the competition rather than the previous 32 and all clubs will be involved in a league table as opposed to eight groups of four. The draw was made by supercomputer and Celts know their opponents to come. Each club was drawn to play two clubs from each pot, one at home and the other away.

How long will League Phase run?

The League Phase will now end towards the end of January, not December. The final group game will take place on January 29.

How does the knockout stages work?

From the final standings, the top eight clubs will go directly to the last-16. Positions nine to 24 will take on a playoff opponent while positions 25 to 36 are eliminated. No clubs will drop into the Europa League. To stay in Europe, Celtic will have to finish at least within the top 24.

How many games are there?

A total of 189 games will take place throughout the full competition which means there are two extra matchdays in the League Phase, with all clubs playing four times at home and four away.

The Champions League has undergone a major revamp
The Champions League has undergone a major revamp

What about if clubs are level on points?

Head to head will not come into focus as teams only face each other once. Therefore, there are tie-breakers to ensure the integrity of the competition. The first is to be goal difference and goals scored. Then it will come down to total points gained by the even clubs' opponents. The tally for all eight are computed and the highest number is ranked first.

It's believed that, in aggregating things that way it is meant to create a "difficulty level" of the teams all clubs have played. It will only come into play in the event of a tie at the end of the League Phase.

Any other changes?

Not too much more relating to Celtic. The rest of the changes involve the coefficient points for the extra spaces as well as for future seasons in terms of which clubs may benefit should domestic competition winners' qualifying spots be reallocated.

Fixture dates

Matchday 1: Sept. 17-19
Matchday 2: Oct. 1-2
Matchday 3: Oct. 22-23
Matchday 4: Nov. 5-6
Matchday 5: Nov. 26-27
Matchday 6: Dec. 10-11
Matchday 7: Jan. 21-22
Matchday 8: Jan. 29 (all 18 games played simultaneously)

Knockout round: Feb. 11-12 / 18-19
Round of 16: March 4-5 / 11-12
Quarterfinals: April 8-9 / 15-16
Semifinals: April 29-30 / May 6-7
Final: May 31