There was plenty of noise surrounding the news when the new format of the UEFA Champions League was unveiled to start this season. What's still up for debate is whether it should be considered a success so far.
Gone are the days of the eight groups of four teams that saw them play home and away matches against each other with the top two qualifying to the round of 16. Instead, there was a shift to a more Liga MX–style season with the top eight finishers of the league phase qualifying to the round of 16, while those who finish ninth to 24th play a two-legged playoff to decide the remaining eight teams that will advance.
