Final countdown
A huge change has been announced to the Champions League final.
For the first time ever, the showpiece will kick off at 5pm, rather than the usual 8pm start.
Uefa say: “The decision is designed to enhance the overall matchday experience for fans, teams and host cities by optimising matchday logistics and operations, while delivering several tangible benefits.
“Our goal is to make match day a truly enjoyable experience for everyone who wants to be part of the excitement, while creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy for families and children to attend the biggest and most important club football match of the season.”
The decision marks the biggest shake-up since 2010, when the final first moved to Saturday from Wednesday night.
New beginnings
Four new clubs will enter the Champions League this year, and it’s fair to say some draws will be more desirable than others.
Fans and players alike will have few complaints if a trip to Cypriot holiday hotspot Paphos is pulled out of the hat, with Pafos FC beating former champions Red Star Belgrade to qualify for the first time.
But few will want an eight-and-a-half hour flight to Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty, who are located just 250 miles away from China.
And a December trip there could see teams face temperatures as low as -7 degrees celcius.
Europa League semi-finalists Bodo/Glimt and Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise are the other debutants to enter this year.
San Siro?
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez on who he wants to play in the Champions League: “Give me the Bernabeu man…
“Actually I was wrong about the Bernabeu, give me PSG man so we can get them out and they have no excuses this time as well.”
Pot luck
As England’s most successful teams in Europe in recent years, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea are in Pot 1 for the draw.
Arsenal just miss out and will be in Pot 2 while Tottenham will be in Pot 3 and Newcastle in Pot 4.
However, unlike in the old format, there is no benefit to being in a higher pot.
Every team will be drawn against two teams each from Pot 1, 2, 3 and 4 with one match being played at home and the other away.
The six Premier League teams cannot, however, be drawn against each other until the knockout stages.