The UEFA Champions League draw is fast approaching, and for the first time, technology will play a crucial role in determining Celtic’s path in Europe’s top club competition. With Celtic placed in Pot 3, fans eagerly await Thursday’s draw, which will reveal the eight teams they’ll face in the revamped Champions League.
UEFA Champions League’s New Format: What It Means for Celtic
This season, UEFA has introduced a new format, expanding the competition to 36 teams. To manage the complexity of the draw, UEFA has partnered with AE Live, a UK-based IT company, to develop the software that will handle the process, ensuring both efficiency and accuracy. UEFA has assured that this system is highly secure, with robust measures in place to prevent any potential cyberattacks.
Celtic’s Placement in Pot 3: What to Expect
For Celtic, this new format means that instead of the traditional group stage, they’ll compete in a single league alongside 35 other clubs. The teams are divided into four pots of nine, and Celtic, along with Feyenoord, Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven, and five play-off winners, will be in Pot 3. Pot 1 features European heavyweights like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, who will present tough challenges.
How Technology is Changing the Draw Process
After teams are manually drawn into their respective pots, the software will assign each club their eight league fixtures. Celtic will face two teams from each pot, playing four games at home and four away. The system also ensures that Celtic won’t face another Scottish side, should one qualify, and limits them to a maximum of two teams from the same country.
The Swiss Model: A New Dynamic for European Football
The new Swiss model, borrowed from chess and croquet, aims to create a more dynamic and unpredictable competition. It offers all teams a fairer chance to progress, regardless of their pot placement. This means Celtic could face a mix of both formidable and more manageable opponents, setting the stage for an exciting European campaign.
What Lies Ahead: Knockout Stages and Play-Offs
At the end of the league phase, the top eight teams will advance directly to the knockout stages, while those finishing 9th to 24th will compete in a play-off for the remaining spots. The bottom 12 teams will see their European journey come to an end. There is no drop down into the Europa League.
Celtic’s Prospects: A European Campaign to Remember?
UEFA believes this format will inject more excitement into the competition, allowing clubs like Celtic to encounter a wider variety of opponents, from powerhouses like Bayern Munich to teams like PSV Eindhoven where the Hoops have a better chance to get a result. The increased number of high-stakes matches ensures that every game counts.
As Celtic’s name is drawn on Thursday, fans will be hoping for a favourable fixture list. But regardless of who they face, this new format promises an intriguing European campaign, with the potential for some memorable nights under the lights at Celtic Park.
FAQs:
What is the new UEFA Champions League format?
The new format expands the competition to 36 teams, with a single league phase replacing the traditional group stage.
How does the Swiss model work in the Champions League?
The Swiss model creates a league where each team plays eight matches, leading to a more unpredictable and dynamic competition.
What is Celtic’s placement in the UEFA draw?
Celtic is placed in Pot 3, but seeing as you will be drawn two teams from each pot, including your own, pots don’t really matter so much.
How does technology influence the UEFA Champions League draw?
UEFA has partnered with AE Live to develop secure software that efficiently manages the draw process.
What are Celtic’s chances in the new Champions League format?
Celtic have found Europe very unforgiving over the past decade. The bhoys struggled to keep up with clubs who are on the same financial level. There has been naivety from players and managers over this time. Being harder to beat in some fixtures would go a long way.
When is the Champions League draw?
Celtic will find out their fate on Thursday, August 29 at 5pm UK time.
