[kurtsimonw]

The competition is already hilariously unbalanced in favour of the big nations.

[X-Offender]

The competition is already hilariously unbalanced in favour of the big nations.

There's nothing to do about it though, is there? For small clubs participation in itself is the victory, having to play with European powerhouses at the most prestigious football club tournament in the world. The only thing UEFA can do is put all inferior clubs into their own groups, but that would make their games completely uninteresting, and they would still have to go out once in the KO stages regardless.

[kurtsimonw]

There's nothing that can be done now, no. Football essentially ended in 1992 and the Champions League is what killed it IMO.

[Danny]

I can't believe you're saying this. Can't you see the absolute unfairness in all of it? Rewarding undeserving clubs like us and United, and disqualifying clubs who work hard all season only to be penalized by their inferior appeal and history. Everyone should have equal chances, be it Real Madrid or Ludogorets. The competition will never decline in appeal and financial income just because a few clubs don't make it every now and then.

I absolutely can see the unfairness in it, but money speaks louder than morals. Fact is a CL without Man Utd, Milan, Rangers and Celtic gets less viewers than one with them.

The level of sponsorship can be affected by losing the global interest of the estimated several hundred million fans those four clubs have in total.

And from a selfish point of view I really miss Rangers and Milan (and Utd) in the competition.

As an aside, I'd suggest an expansion to the CL so that seasons where big teams miss out, they can get a wildcard entry.

After all, by dismissing this idea you're also suggesting any sport which uses wildcards is undermining those who got there on merit.

As another aside, this competition lost its morals a long time ago anyway. It's no Champions League, it's a European Super Cup.

[Danny]

There's nothing that can be done now, no. Football essentially ended in 1992 and the Champions League is what killed it IMO.

That's a bit unfair. It was only a rebranding of an existing tournament.

It was when non-champions got in, THAT'S when the tournament started losing its credibility as a 'Champions League'.

[kurtsimonw]

That's a bit unfair. It was only a rebranding of an existing tournament.

It was when non-champions got in, THAT'S when the tournament started losing its credibility as a 'Champions League'.

My bad, I thought the rebranding happened the same time as the none-Champion entries. So I completely agree, letting in a bunch of other clubs was what ruined it for me.

[milanbuf88]

I absolutely can see the unfairness in it, but money speaks louder than morals. Fact is a CL without Man Utd, Milan, Rangers and Celtic gets less viewers than one with them.

The level of sponsorship can be affected by losing the global interest of the estimated several hundred million fans those four clubs have in total.

And from a selfish point of view I really miss Rangers and Milan (and Utd) in the competition.

As an aside, I'd suggest an expansion to the CL so that seasons where big teams miss out, they can get a wildcard entry.

After all, by dismissing this idea you're also suggesting any sport which uses wildcards is undermining those who got there on merit.

As another aside, this competition lost its morals a long time ago anyway. It's no Champions League, it's a European Super Cup.

What sport actually uses wildcards other than the Ryder Cup competition in golf?

[Jack Sparrow]

Big Brother? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

I think a few tennis tournaments do have this concept.

[han2503]

I can't believe you're saying this. Can't you see the absolute unfairness in all of it? Rewarding undeserving clubs like us and United, and disqualifying clubs who work hard all season only to be penalized by their inferior appeal and history. Everyone should have equal chances, be it Real Madrid or Ludogorets. The competition will never decline in appeal and financial income just because a few clubs don't make it every now and then.

Agreed, not to mention that those clubs won their league and are actually Champions plus had to go through the wringer to qualify for the group stage while the big nations have 3/2 sides automatically in it.

Sorry but this suggestion is ridiculous and I'm ashamed that it was once again Milan who come out with this BS

[Fillipo Simone]

Once again? Why, did we make any other suggestions?

[Rossoneri7]

Once again? Why, did we make any other suggestions?

The European Cup has been modified over the years, the latest suggestion is just to further modify and expand the current edition of the same.

Clubs like Milan/inter will look for solutions to their problems, and one of them would be what was suggested.

I'd rather have Milan directly qualify for the competition, but if the same is unachievable then it is the executives job to be creative in finding solutions for such issues.

[han2503]

Once again? Why, did we make any other suggestions?

Not suggestions but this goes along with many of the other themes we've seen the management put out. Like the most titled club in the world shtick they had going for a while.

They're not the same thing obviously but just more things that are embarrassing to this club's image. Saying that we should be given automatic entrance in the CL because we have history in the competition but couldn't be @arsed in terms of improving the team and actually fighting for a position fairly is imo embarrassing to the image of the club

[Jack Sparrow]

This is super old news. He came out on twitter and said it was just his personal opinion. I'm not a big fan of Gandini. I think he's poor at his job. I guess he's one of those nice blokes who almost all organizations keep around just coz they've always been there.

[Fillipo Simone]

Not suggestions but this goes along with many of the other themes we've seen the management put out. Like the most titled club in the world shtick they had going for a while.

They're not the same thing obviously but just more things that are embarrassing to this club's image. Saying that we should be given automatic entrance in the CL because we have history in the competition but couldn't be @arsed in terms of improving the team and actually fighting for a position fairly is imo embarrassing to the image of the club

Naah, I don't buy into that so much as you do. But btw, why was that "most titled club in the world" thing so embarrassing? I think club officials in general talk too much and have stupid ideas (just think of Platini for starters). But no one cares, I truly believe this has zero impact on Milan's reputation.

[kurtsimonw]

I think a few tennis tournaments do have this concept.

Yep. Goran Ivanisevic wasn't ranked high enough to enter Wimbledon, but as he'd made Finals previously and had an injury that affected his ranking he was given permission to enter (and then won it).

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Oct 17 2014, 03:14 PM