The episode title isn't written in Yoda speak. The UEFA Champions League group stages are in full swing and as Dec and Jonny watch some of the action unfold from Wednesday night, it’s time for some hard truths about the new format of the competition due to be put into practice from next season. The first element to touch on is the addition of two extra group stage slots to be allocated to the associations with the best collective performance by their clubs in the previous season.
Is this actually just a way for the Premier League's 'Big Six' to ensure they are included in the treasure trove of Champions League revenue? Does it in any way benefit the competition?
Dec then goes into detail as to what this format will play out like next year. The UEFA boffins have tried their best to explain their other innovations in the past such as the much-maligned UEFA Nations League, but can this Kopite explain the convoluted cluster-fruitcake that is the 2024/25 Champions League Group Stage?
After all that is said and done the lads will turn their attention to some of the events of last week in which Liverpool were able to get one over on their local rivals in a Merseyside derby with more than a little controversy. Arsenal were able to rescue a point from Chelsea, but have some of the wheels started to fall off Mikel Arteta's side? And ahead of the highly-anticipated Manchester derby this weekend, do Man United stand a chance of getting anything from Pep Guardiola's wobbly Citizens as they make their trip to Old Trafford this time around a better one than last season?
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