Major change to Champions League to be introduced from next season following Arsenal heartbreak against PSG
UEFA are set to make a major change to the Champions League following Arsenal’s heartbreak against Paris Saint-Germain.
The debut year of the new-look tournament unearthed a big problem some fans believed was unfair.
The top eight teams in the league phase automatically qualified for the Round of 16, with the next eight teams entering a play-off.
But that was the only advantage the top eight teams received – which will now change.
From next season the teams that finish in the top eight will have the advantage of playing the second leg of their knock-out ties at home.
That was a privilege not granted to Arsenal and Barcelona in the semi-finals last year – both teams finished in the top eight but lost to teams who finished below them in the league phase.
From next season, the teams who place highest in the league phase are guaranteed to play at home in the second leg.
The same change is expected to apply to both the Europa League and the Conference League.
Uefa agreed the change in a meeting ahead of the Champions League final on Saturday.
However the modification must be ratified by the Executive Committee, which does not meet until September.
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A virtual meeting will have to take place to confirm the rule change before the league phase draw on August 28.
This season Arsenal played at home in the second leg of their Round of 16 win over PSV Eindhoven, before travelling to Real Madrid and PSG for the seconds legs of their quarter-final and semi-final ties.