Pep Guardiola and Manchester City subject to shock UEFA Champions League draw change after major announcement

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Published on 2024-03-13 10:45:45

Manchester City could face significant changes in the UEFA Champions League next season if they qualify. The team, currently the title holder, secured a spot in the quarter-finals by defeating FC Copenhagen 6-2 in the last-16. Last season, they made history by winning the European trophy with a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in Istanbul, completing a treble that included the Premier League and Emirates FA Cup.

Seeking their third final in four years, City will aim for success at Wembley Stadium, a venue where Guardiola has managed the team 18 times. The draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals will determine their path to the final, with City consistently reaching at least the last-eight since 2017/18.

Apart from their Champions League campaign, Manchester City is also engaged in a tight battle for the Premier League title. UEFA recently announced a major format change for the Champions League starting from the 2024/25 season, with 36 clubs participating in the league phase instead of the traditional four-team group stages.

Teams will play eight matches in the new league phase against eight different opponents, a departure from the previous format. The draw process will also be revamped, using computer simulations alongside manual selection of clubs before the computer determines their opponents.

An IT company from England has been tasked with creating the software for the new draw process, which is expected to take around 35 minutes. With these changes on the horizon, Manchester City will look to secure their place in next season’s Champions League as they navigate through the current campaign.

Read Original article on City Xtra