The money making machine of the Champions League is over with its new format, with eight teams going through directly to the knock-out, and a further 16 teams going through to the play-off knockout. It did not seem to matter to most teams; the objective was not to end among the bottom twelve where there were not really many surprises.
Surprises perhaps in the top eight: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter, Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid were accompanied by Aston Villa and Lille. The latter was the best French side, but with favourites PSG, Brest and Monaco all going through to the play-offs. Other big teams made it through to the play-offs too: Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Benfica, Real Madrid.... In my view the problem is that none of the teams really cared that they did not end in the top-8, but that they were able to "relax" some matches without never really putting in doubt that they would progress. And two matches more? They are confident enough to win and make more money on it....
The only big team that really seemed to struggle was crisis-hit Manchester City, who until the last match could have been eliminated but won 3-1 over Club Brugge (who also made it through), and appear likely to be a hard nut to crack for anyone in the play-offs (and more money because it could be a big match!).
The draw for the play-offs will be on Friday.
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