As the first round of the UEFA Champions League is about to kick off, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was interviewed by the media before the match to express his views on the new UEFA Champions League system. Emery expressed a positive attitude towards the change, believing that the new system is not only fairer, but also brings more challenges and fun for teams and fans.
Emery began by expressing his love for the current Champions League system, but he also admitted that the system needs to be changed to adapt to the development of modern soccer. He said: "I prefer the current system, but I think it needs to change. The new format will be better because now we will play more games, eight in total, against eight different opponents. It's good because it allows teams to be placed more fairly in the standings on points and it's more attractive to the fans."
On the issue of the increased number of matches brought about by the new format, Emery said he would take a smart approach to help his players cope. He mentioned that more players in the squad have been selected for the national team, which in itself is a reflection of the team's improved level. At the same time, he acknowledged that the players will face greater physical and psychological pressure, as the increased number of matches will also mean a higher risk of injury. However, he emphasized: "If they are tired, let them rest. For the Champions League, I think the new format is better, it's the best tournament in the world."
Emery also said that playing in the Champions League is one of the biggest rewards any league team can win. He believes that it is an honor to represent the club in this top-level tournament and a recognition of the strength and level of the team. He encouraged the players to enjoy every moment in the Champions League as it is a rare and valuable experience in their careers.
In addition, Emery revealed the preparations Villa have made to adapt to the new format. He stated that the team has changed their regular way of preparing for European matches and had a special training session in Birmingham to understand and adapt to the artificial pitch. He emphasized, "We are ready and will not use this as an excuse. We can play as if we were at home."
