The Suspense continues!
The fourth match day in the UEFA
Champions League lived up to its promi
se, and while certain well-placed teams
were able to consolidate their position,
very few of the teams involved are already
assured of a place in the quarter-finals.
This is proof that European football has
made considerable progress, and that
the UEFA Champions League field consti
tutes a veritable elite. There are no longer
any weak teams in the competition! Even
the clubs who have yet to win European
honours are proving hard to beat, and are
able to pull off surprise successes them
selves, it all goes to show that the UEFA
Champions League format is the right
one, and guarantees exciting matches, as
the teams remain motivated until the final
whistle of the final match. Nevertheless,
the search for improvements to the com
petition continues
In the opening four match days, we have
seen that teams are inspired by the chan
ce of qualifying for the later stages, and a
considerable number of goals have been
scored. Goals are the main ingredient to
fire the enthusiasm of the crowds. The
supporters themselves, who now watch
the action in comfortable all-seater stadia,
have also become more disciplined. We
must welcome this evolution, which
shows that football is capable of finding
its own solutions to problems which
sometimes arise.
I am convinced that the last two match
days in the UEFA Champions League
group competition will be exciting, and
that teams will not be speculating on the
results of their rivals. They will doubtless
be giving their all in an effort to book their
ticket for the quarter-finals, which will be
played under the knock-out system.
Much is at stake, and this will certainly act
as a spur to those taking part in a com
petition which owes its success to the
work of so many people.
Consequently, I would like to take this
opportunity, in my capacity as UEFA
President, to extend our thanks to the
players, officials, media representatives
and spectators, without whom the UEFA
Champions League would not be what it
is today - European club football's flag
ship competition, I hope you all enjoy a
memorable evening!
Lennart Johansson
President of UEFA
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