The Champions League returns: Your guide to its new format, storylines, tactics and how to watch

By: [Your Name]

September 1st, 2023

The UEFA Champions League is back, and it's bigger and better than ever. This season, the competition has been expanded to 36 teams, and the format has been tweaked to make it even more exciting. In this guide, we'll take a look at all the changes, and we'll give you a preview of the storylines, tactics, and teams to watch in this season's competition.

The new format

The biggest change to the Champions League this season is the expansion to 36 teams. This means that there will be more games, more excitement, and more opportunities for teams to qualify for the knockout stages. The group stage will now consist of eight groups of four teams, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the knockout stages.

The knockout stages will also be different this season. The round of 16 will now be played over two legs, with the away goals rule abolished. This means that teams will have to be more aggressive in both legs, and it could lead to some more exciting matches.

The storylines

There are plenty of storylines to watch in this season's Champions League. Here are a few of the most intriguing:

Can Real Madrid win a sixth consecutive title? The Spanish giants are the most successful team in Champions League history, and they'll be looking to add to their record-breaking tally this season.

Will Barcelona be able to challenge Real Madrid? The Catalan giants have been in a bit of a slump in recent years, but they'll be hoping to make a statement this season with a strong performance in the Champions League.

Can Liverpool defend their title? The Reds won their sixth Champions League title last season, and they'll be hoping to make it two in a row this year.

Will Manchester City finally win the Champions League? The English champions have been one of the most consistent teams in Europe in recent years, but they've never been able to win the Champions League. This year could be their best chance yet.

The tactics

The Champions League is a tactical chess match, and the best teams in the world will be looking to outsmart their opponents with their formations and tactics. Here are a few of the tactical trends to watch this season:

The use of false nines. False nines are forwards who drop deep into midfield to create space for their teammates. This tactic can be very effective, as it can create confusion in the opposition defense.

The use of high pressing. High pressing is a defensive tactic where teams press their opponents high up the pitch. This can be very effective in winning back possession and creating chances.

The use of zonal marking. Zonal marking is a defensive tactic where players are assigned to specific zones of the pitch. This can be very effective in preventing the opposition from creating clear-cut chances.

How to watch

The Champions League is available to watch on a variety of platforms, including television, streaming services, and online. Here are a few of the ways to watch the Champions League in the United States:

CBS Sports: CBS Sports will broadcast the Champions League final and select matches throughout the season.

Paramount+: Paramount+ will stream every Champions League match live.

fuboTV: fuboTV is a streaming service that offers a variety of channels, including CBS Sports and Paramount+.