The last 16 of this season’s Champions League was lackluster, but the quarter-finals promise to be more exciting with some of the best teams in the competition facing off. The dominance of familiar giants from Spain, Germany, England, and France has led to a sense of weariness and predictability in the competition. The current state of European football is a result of years of hyper-capitalism and the concentration of resources in a small elite group of clubs.
The financial domination of English football is evident, with Premier League and Championship clubs outspending the top leagues in Europe. The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this process, with only two Premier League clubs in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The draw for the quarter-finals offers some intriguing matchups, such as Manchester City against Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain taking on Barcelona.
The Champions League is in need of a revival, as it has transitioned from a thrilling spectacle to a tiresome obligation. The competition requires more life, intrigue, drama, and unpredictability to remain captivating. The ties in the quarter-finals must provide excitement and showcase that success is not guaranteed for the best-run super-clubs. If the current matchups fail to deliver on these fronts, it may signal a need for significant changes in the structure of European football.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com