The league phase
36 clubs play 8 matches each (4 home, 4 away) against 8 different opponents drawn from 4 seeding pots. A single combined table determines progression.
Cut-offs
- Top 8 — direct qualification to the round of 16
- 9–24 — enter a two-legged knockout play-off
- 25–36 — eliminated (no Europa League drop-down)
Why the reform matters analytically
Every match now has table-wide implications. Late-phase fixtures behave more like promotion/relegation deciders than traditional group games.