AC Milan could end up facing their city rivals Inter in the first phase of the 2024-25 Champions League given the way the new format works, according to a report.
We explained all the changes to the format of the tournament during a feature a few months ago, with the main alteration being the shift away from the current group stage system, which is 32 team divided into eight groups of four.
As Radio Rossonera reports, Serie A will have five teams present in the Champions League next season with Milan joined by Inter, Juventus, Bologna and Atalanta.
There are nine clubs in each tier, with the Italians distributed as follows: Inter will occupy the first tier, Atalanta (who won the European League) and Juventus the second, Milan either the second or third (depending on if Rangers get through qualification) and Bologna in the fourth.
There are no restrictions regarding who can play who, unlike the previous group stage when it would have been impossible for Milan to play another team from Serie A in the group stage.
Instead the tiers serve to distribute the teams and that means a Milan derby is possible even in the first phase, while the same applies to clubs from any league with at least four teams that have qualified, given there will be one per tier.
More games, more games.
It’s time to reduce the amount of teams in Serie A again. If there only were 18 teams that would lead to 4 less ganes per season. And the vompetition would get harder. Crappy teams would have to shape up to be able to stay up and not coast by by not being the absolute worst.