Paris (AFP)

A condensed and "exciting" show or a discounted competition? UEFA's decision to complete the 2020 edition of the Champions League in August, in the same city (Lisbon) and via knockout matches, forces the big clubs to "adapt" to a new format .

Without the return legs and away goal advantage, Liverpool probably would not have made it to the final last year in a "Final 8" on a double or knockout. Without the support of its stadium and the warmth of its public, could the "Reds" overthrow Barcelona 4-0 ... after losing 3-0 on the way out?

Deprived of the possibility of reliving the "remoradas" which wrote the recent legend, "this new formula", which will be played from August 12 to 23 in Lisbon, "will be exciting and rich in emotions", however wants to believe Nasser Al-Khelaïfi , president of Paris SG and of the beIN sports group, one of the main broadcasters of the competition.

"I find it quite a lot to make the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final in a single match. Especially to do it in one place, there will be 15 days when everything will be decided," commented Zinedine Zidane, the French coach of Real Madrid, triple winner of the event as main technician.

But it was a small revolution that UEFA formalized Wednesday by unveiling the new schedule for the final phase of the C1, which had to be suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. This "Super 8" will take place between the Alvalade stadium, where Sporting takes place, and the Luz stadium, den of Benfica.

- "The shape of the day will be decisive" -

For Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick, no fear because "he knows very well" this type of competition for having been world champion with Germany as assistant to Joachim Löw in 2014.

"This is why I think we can get by. The form of the day will be decisive," said the German champion, who has yet to play his last 8th final against Chelsea, after winning the first leg 3-0. in England.

Having "had the chance to restart his championship very early", almost a month before all the other Spanish, Italian and English competitors, makes Bayern the new big favorite of the competition?

"We were the pioneers, we must make sure that we get the most out of it, if we don't replay it until August," he hoped, while PSG and Lyon, its French competitors, will tackle these shocks after five months of inactivity due to the shutdown of Ligue 1.

At the strategic level, do the games without a net that are promising encourage greater defensive caution or more offensive audacity?

"The big clubs are not going to renounce their style because it is a cleaver match, estimates with AFP Jacques Santini, former trainer of Lyon and Tottenham. The strongest and the most sure of their potential will nevertheless be favored but mental preparation and especially the presence of the public is an element that will count. "

- Devalued cup? -

Still uncertain due to the health crisis, the presence or absence of supporters will be decided in "mid-July", announced Wednesday UEFA. What to make of the C1 2020 a cut at a discount compared to previous editions?

"Maybe. There are eight clubs left with the same goal and we can think that it keeps a certain flavor," said Leonardo, PSG sports director, Sunday in an interview with JDD. I don't know what to think about it. "

"The winner of the Champions League will have to profit, he will be recognized, even if it will be a bizarre championship. But the winner will savor his title", says the former star of Real Predrag Mijatovic, winner of the Champions League in 1998.

Conversely, can popular success on and off the pitch cause UEFA to renew a "Final 8" in the future?

"Whether it is UEFA or Fifa, it is the broadcasters who dictate their law, believes Jacques Santini. They will lose match broadcasts and therefore the TV may not agree to perpetuate this format."

© 2020 AFP