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UEFA confirms Champions League basically just the European Superleague now
The top four leagues don’t have to fight for spots anymore.
Michael Regan/Getty Images
The long-rumored and reported changes to the Champions League format are now official. From the 2018-19 season, each of Europe’s top four leagues will get four automatic spots in the group stage. This is a particularly massive boost to Serie A -- their third-placed team has been losing in the playoffs regularly, leaving them with only two group stage participants, which is the case again this year.
It’s been a tough few years for the Premier League too, and they’ll be fighting to keep their status as a top-three league, since Serie A has done well enough in Europa League to gain ground. But now, they also have nothing to worry about, as they’re well ahead of France and should maintain a top-four spot easily.
The big losers are everyone else. UEFA has spent the last decade opening up opportunities for clubs from smaller leagues, but they apparently felt the threat of a breakaway super league was real enough that they had to take this step.
Goal of the day
Michael Heylen’s stunner for Anderlecht. (r/soccer)
In the news
And here’s the Europa League draw. (UEFA)
Cristiano Ronaldo won the UEFA Best Player in Europe award. (UEFA)
Gabigol and Joao Mario have both arrived at Inter Milan. (@Inter)
Thierry Henry has taken a job as Belgium assistant manager. (@ThierryHenry)
Iker Casillas and Cesc Fabregas are out of the Spain team, while Juan Mata and Diego Costa are back. (BBC)
You should be reading
Matt Friday on Marco Asensio quickly becoming a key player for Real Madrid. (Just Football)
Jonathan Wilson asks how long Liverpool will keep faith in Jürgen Klopp. (Guardian)
James Horncastle on this weekend’s two big Serie A games. (ESPN FC)
From the rumor mill
Please don’t take anything in this section too seriously, for your own sanity.
Spurs are looking at Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala. (ESPN UK)
Mike Phelan thinks Hull City needs to make six new signings. (Mail)
Simone Zaza is heading for West Ham. (Guardian)
Napoli wants to swap Manolo Gabbiadini for ... Nikola Kalinic? Why? (Gazzetta)
Chelsea and Arsenal are both interested in James Rodriguez. (AS)
American-Italian Giuseppe Rossi could be on the move to Celta Vigo. (Football Italia)
What to watch on Friday (click for listings, all times ET)
Bundesliga: Bayern Munich vs. Werder Bremen (2:30 p.m.) -- Season opener!!!
MLS: RSL vs. Rapids (8 p.m.) -- Perhaps the league’s most underrated derby.
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