Adidas have reportedly released the official match ball for the 33rd edition of the UEFA Champions League which is set to be a very different format from the one football fans are already used to.
The previous format, which consisted of eight groups of four clubs, with half of them moving on to the round of 16, was well-known to European football lovers.
But the ‘group stage’ has passed. The ‘league phase’ has taken its place. In spite of competing against eight opponents apiece, all 36 participants will square off in a single, long league table.
Teams ranked ninth through twenty-four go to the next round of sixteen, while the top eight teams go into a play-off round.
Fans may find solace in the fact that the new men’s Champions League match ball, unveiled by adidas on Wednesday, is ‘all about iconic simplicity’, despite the fact that the format is more complex than before.
Fans can purchase the ball on adidas.co.uk for either £130 or £35 depending on whether they want the ordinary replica or the ‘Pro’ version.
Both the Women’s Champions League ball and the new official UCL ball have a tip-to-tip star panel design for the first time since 2019.
from the stars.
introducing your new UCL & UWCL Official Pro Match Balls. made for nights under the lights. #StarsofEurope pic.twitter.com/FCgPh3UX2h
— adidas Football (@adidasfootball) August 28, 2024
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On Thursday at 5:00 p.m., the draw for this season’s UCL league phase matches will take place.
On the sportswear and sneakers giant’s website, the men’s and women’s balls are referred to as “League Phase” balls, indicating that once the UCL and UWCL begin their knockout stages early in the next year, a different ball may be utilized.
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