GREEN DOCK 3 successfully transits Suez Canal in 24-hour operation    Gold prices rise on Monday    Oil prices hold near 2-week highs    Egypt calls for inclusive Nile Basin dialogue, warns against 'hostile rhetoric'    GAFI launches guideline for cash investment Incentive to support industrial projects    Egypt launches initiative to transform petroleum waste into value-added resources    Egypt, Qatar press for full implementation of Gaza ceasefire    Egypt, China's CMEC sign MoU to study waste-to-energy project in Qalyubia    Egypt plans new policies to drive private sector growth in tourism, energy, health    Egypt joins Japan-backed UHC Knowledge Hub to advance national health reforms    Egypt launches 32nd International Quran Competition with participants from over 70 countries    Al-Sisi reviews expansion of Japanese school model in Egypt    Egypt launches National Health Compact to expand access to quality care    Netanyahu's pick for Mossad chief sparks resignation threats over lack of experience    US warns NATO allies against 'bullying' American defence firms amid protectionism row    Egypt declares Red Sea's Great Coral Reef a new marine protected area    Egypt recovers two ancient artefacts from Belgium    Egypt, Saudi nuclear authorities sign MoU to boost cooperation on nuclear safety    Giza master plan targets major hotel expansion to match Grand Egyptian Museum launch    Australia returns 17 rare ancient Egyptian artefacts    China invites Egypt to join African duty-free export scheme    Egypt calls for stronger Africa-Europe partnership at Luanda summit    Egypt begins 2nd round of parliamentary elections with 34.6m eligible voters    Egypt warns of erratic Ethiopian dam operations after sharp swings in Blue Nile flows    Egypt scraps parliamentary election results in 19 districts over violations    Egypt extends Ramses II Tokyo Exhibition as it draws 350k visitors to date    Filmmakers, experts to discuss teen mental health at Cairo festival panel    Cairo International Film Festival to premiere 'Malaga Alley,' honour Khaled El Nabawy    Egypt golf team reclaims Arab standing with silver; Omar Hisham Talaat congratulates team    Egypt launches Red Sea Open to boost tourism, international profile    Omar Hisham Talaat: Media partnership with 'On Sports' key to promoting Egyptian golf tourism    Sisi expands national support fund to include diplomats who died on duty    Egypt's PM reviews efforts to remove Nile River encroachments    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







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Chelsea's Tuchel unhappy with new Champions League format
Reuters Published in Ahram Online on 26 - 04 - 2021

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel said on Monday that he was not a fan of the new Champions League format which will force teams to play more matches in a campaign and put a strain on the players.
Amid the failed attempt by 12 top European clubs to form a breakaway Super League, Europe's governing body UEFA approved a new format from the 2024-25 season with 36 clubs and teams set to play four more matches compared to the current format.
"I'm not sure if I like it. I can only see more games and it is hard for me to be excited at all," Tuchel told reporters ahead of Tuesday's semi-final, first leg against Real Madrid.
"All these discussions about the Super League made us forget about the new format of the Champions League. Did they ask and coaches or players? I don't think so.
"We have so many new formats, with a (UEFA) Nations League as well... It's not quality, it's just more games. At the same time, we have just three substitutes in the Premier League, which is the toughest competition."
While UEFA had threatened to ban the Super League founding clubs -- including Real Madrid and Chelsea -- from the Champions League, Tuchel said both teams "deserved" to be in the semi-finals.
"We do not deserve it because of political decisions or because of our logo, we deserve it because we have come a long way," Tuchel added.
"I had the luck to be part of it since the knockout phase and we have fought our way through with results. If problems exist on a sports political level, it has to be sorted on that level."
The match could also have Real forward Eden Hazard play against his former club after putting his injury worries behind him and Tuchel said the Belgian would be looking to make amends having missed the majority of the season.
"Eden is a top quality player, he was a key player at this club and in this league, we have the biggest respect for him," Tuchel said.
"Many people know him well but we don't only talk about him... He is fit, had a comeback in the last game. If he plays, I am sure he wants to make a point."
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