We all love a bit of sarcasm and Allison had a great take on the new Champions League format and how players’ opinions continue to be overlooked.
From the 2024/25 season, the number of clubs participating in the Champions League will increase from 32 to 36 in the ‘league stage’ (previously the group stage), with each team playing eight matches in the initial phase.
The new format allows teams to play up to 17 games to qualify for the finals, while the previous format allowed teams to play up to 13 games.
UEFA have pushed for the change, saying players and fans will enjoy being involved in important matches every week, but they still take for granted those who make the ‘product’.
Ahead of Liverpool’s return to the Champions League, Allison was asked about the demands of the new format and he had some great thoughts on the matter, even offering us some nice sarcasm.
“I think for the fans, the bigger games, the bigger teams playing each other, are really great,” he said.
“It’s great for our players to be playing against the best in Europe and it’s always a good idea to add a few less hectic games to the schedule,” he said with a smile. “It’s a bit ironic.
“Again, we’re here to do our job, but no one’s asking players what they think about adding more games, so our opinion probably doesn’t matter.
“But everyone knows how we feel about having more games. Everyone is tired of it, but we have to put that kind of stuff aside and focus on the challenge we have here (against Milan).”
“Nobody asks the players what they think,” said one reporter, who followed up the Brazilian’s answer by asking what the “right” number of games per season would be.
Allison brilliantly turned it around, adding, “This is a question that I have to answer here, not just, ‘Okay, is the number 30 or 40,’ but a question that I have to sit down with and listen to all the pieces.
“We know that the media has its backs – TV, UEFA, FIFA, the Premier League, domestic competitions. We are not stupid. We understand that.
“I understand people want more games, but it would make sense for all the people I mentioned, all the people who make up the schedule, to sit down together and listen to all the opinions, including the players.
“A lot of players have already spoken about it and we just have to listen. What we want is to sit together and understand the idea of ​​where football wants to go.
“It’s not just about adding games, competition and this and that. Ultimately, what we want is to do our best for football.
“You can’t compete at a high level when you’re tired. I want to give my best in every game I play, but there needs to be a solution to that and it doesn’t look like a good solution for football and players.”
