Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane was reserved on Sunday on the current reform project of the Champions League, which would in practice be a club closed in 2024, saying "beautiful" that small clubs can also know the thrills of the European queen-test.
"Many things are said" . "I do not know what's going to happen, first of all, a lot of things are going on," Zidane told a news conference. "For those who are (small), it is certainly much more complicated to be able to play the Champions League.I find the idea nice when they play it, I always thought that.Live a moment like this, for those who do not play regularly, or who play it once in a lifetime, it's beautiful.This is my personal side, "said the French technician.
According to different media, the project of UEFA and the European Association of Clubs (ECA) would approach a league closed from the season 2024, the first six of each group of eight being directly qualified for the edition next, regardless of their league standings. Which in practice would favor the continental giants, like Real Madrid, holder of the record of victories in the event (13 titles).
"We always want to progress". Zidane nevertheless specified that it was only his "personal opinion". "As in football we always want to progress, to get things done ... Yes, it always needs a balance, but I do not know how it will happen, we'll see," he argued. . Real Madrid, a triple C1 champion, was eliminated earlier this season, as was Atlético Madrid. As a result, Spain has only one representative in quarters, FC Barcelona, against four for England (both Manchester, Tottenham and Liverpool).
"I do not think the Spanish cycle is under threat," Zidane said, while praising the work of foreign coaches like Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino in the Premier League. "It's a football that is growing every time, it does not surprise me to see the English clubs because the coaches who are at the head of these teams bring their novelty, their know-how, which The association may be good, but that will not stop the fact that Spanish football still has its place, as early as next year, even if this year it was a little less the case, "he said. concluded.