Gareth Taylor, the manager of Manchester City, has voiced his concerns about the current format of the Women’s Champions League qualification. He believes it’s a “shame” that teams of a high standard are being eliminated before the group stages due to the competition’s format.
The issue arises because the qualification format tends to favor seeded teams, such as those who have won their domestic leagues. Only champions from Spain, Germany, and France automatically qualify for the group stages. This puts unseeded teams, like many English sides, in a more challenging position. In the case of English clubs, only Chelsea, as the Women’s Super League champions, qualified directly this season. This was because Barcelona had already secured their place by winning the previous year’s competition.
Gareth Taylor emphasizes the inclusion aspect of the current format, allowing everyone a shot at qualification. However, it appears that this format often results in the elimination of some of the stronger teams in the early stages, which might not be the intended outcome.
Manchester City itself has faced challenges due to this format, suffering defeats to Real Madrid in the European qualifying rounds in consecutive campaigns in 2021 and 2022. Other English clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal have also faced early exits in recent seasons. This situation prompted Marc Skinner, the manager of Manchester United, to comment on the tougher qualification route that English teams face compared to others.
Skinner’s remarks reflect the frustration felt by many in English women’s football. He believes that some ties, including those against top European teams like PSG, shouldn’t be part of the qualification process.
While the current format aims to provide opportunities for league winners across Europe, it has resulted in fixtures where strong clubs face each other, while others compete against lower-ranked sides. This has led to some high-scoring matches in the qualifying rounds.
In conclusion, the debate over the Women’s Champions League qualification format is ongoing, with voices from the English clubs highlighting the challenges they face. It’s a complex issue that touches on inclusion, opportunity, and the balance between rewarding domestic champions and ensuring the best teams progress to the group stages. This ongoing discussion will likely shape the future of women’s football in Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Champions League Format
Q: Why is Gareth Taylor questioning the Women’s Champions League format?
A: Gareth Taylor is concerned about the format because he believes it leads to the early elimination of strong teams, including those from the English Women’s Super League.
Q: What is the current Women’s Champions League qualification format?
A: The current format includes a “champions path” and a “leagues path.” It prioritizes league winners across Europe but can result in strong clubs facing each other in the early stages.
Q: What changes are being suggested to address these concerns?
A: Specific changes were not mentioned in the text, but it is clear that there is a growing debate about making the qualification process fairer and more inclusive for all teams, irrespective of their domestic league performance.
More about Champions League Format
- Women’s Champions League Format Debate
- Gareth Taylor’s Concerns
- Current Women’s Champions League Qualification Format
- Proposed Changes to the Qualification System
2 comments
yeah, the qualif format needs a fix, lots of drama but also unfair to good teams
gareth taylor’s right, the format is all wrong, strong teams gotta play strong teams way too soon, should change that!