For Liverpool and Basel, Fate's Judgment Day is November 12, two weeks away. No matter how anxious they are, they can only focus on the league for the time being.

Chang Sheng thinks further. Valencia have already qualified ahead of schedule and are aiming for a second round of group stage.

The UEFA Champions League at this time is different from the UEFA Champions League that everyone will be familiar with in the future, mainly reflected in the format.

The reform of the Champions League format at this time was mainly due to the G14 league concept proposed by Europe's big clubs, which threatened UEFA's three major European competitions – the UEFA Champions League, Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Cup.

In order to cope with the threat from the G14, UEFA had to reform the three major cups.

As a result of the reforms, the Cup Winners' Cup was abolished, and then the leagues of each country could send one to four teams to the Champions League, depending on the results of their respective national teams in European competitions. In addition, another round of group stage has been added to the Champions League, the first stage of the group stage is divided into eight groups of 32 teams, each group of four teams, home and away double round-robin, after six games to determine the top two of the eight groups to enter the next round of the second round of the group stage, the third place will be taken to the League Cup. The sixteen-place teams were then divided into four groups by draw to determine the eight quarter-final teams. After that, it's time to move up the knockout round.

The aim is to increase the number of participating teams and expand the influence and attractiveness of the Champions League. In addition, the addition of a round-robin group stage is mainly to increase the number of games played by the team, so that they can get more opportunities to play and earn more prize money.

This allows UEFA to gain more support from teams to compete with G14.

There are pros and cons to such reforms.

Although the influence of the Champions League has been expanded, it has also increased the opportunities for many teams to play, allowing them to have the opportunity to play more prize money.

But the drawbacks are just as prominent.

First of all, the two group stages, which increased the number of games, also increased the burden on the players, resulting in a lack of physical fitness for the players. It is prone to various injuries. It's a detriment for the players and the team.

Secondly, there are two group stages, and although the participating teams have more opportunities to play, the spectacle of the game has decreased. The group stage is like a warm swallow. Six group stage matches are required to determine the final spot. The home and away knockout rounds only require two. Which is more intense, has a higher level, and both teams are more committed, it is self-explanatory.

UEFA has failed in its attempt to change the Champions League with two group stage formats.

So the 2002-2003 season. It will be the last time the UEFA Champions League will appear in front of everyone's eyes in the form of two group stages.

From the 2003-2004 season, the UEFA Champions League will revert to its previous format. That is, the 32 teams are divided into eight groups to determine 16 teams, and these 16 teams do not play the second round of group stage, but directly play the home and away knockout rounds.

This is the format of the Champions League that everyone is familiar with now.

Let's be honest. Chang Sheng doesn't like the current format for the two reasons mentioned above.

However, when Chang Sheng was just a fan before, he hated this format, mainly because he felt that the two group stages had turned many games that should have been fierce into chicken ribs. Everyone calculates with each other, hides their strength, and if they can not lose, they will never take risks.

The double round-robin group stage is not good at all.

Now he's a manager, as a manager. He believes the double round robin group stage has allowed his players to play four more games. If it's just a home-and-away knockout system, from the round of 16 to the top eight, only two games are needed. Now he has to catch and fight each other, and fight six battles.

It's a waste of time and energy.

The players were tired. There are still six Champions League group games to play at this time, which greatly increases the likelihood of injury for players.

No manager would like this format.

It's all about giving way to money, making way for ratings, and giving way to sponsors.

I don't like it though. But you still have to play within the rules.

So Chang Sheng is already thinking about how to play this period of play. He's probably going to rotate more often.

This is because the second round of the Champions League group stage spans a winter break, from the end of November to the end of March. This period is one of the most tired and injury-prone periods for players.

Fortunately, this summer, four players were bought to supplement the thickness of the bench.

If it is still the same lineup as last season, it may be a little stretched.

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Returning from Liverpool, Valencia beat Espanyol 1-0 away in the eighth round of the league.

Starting with a 2-0 win away at Atletico Madrid, Valencia have won three in a row. However, that didn't help them secure a place at the top of the league table.

Because in this round, Real Sociedad also won, and they and Valencia now have the same number of points, both with 20 points. Even the score was the same, with a narrow 1-0 win away to Villarreal.

After this round of the league, it is the final round of the Champions League group stage.

But it doesn't have much to do with Valencia anymore.

Valencia, who came on as all substitutes, beat Spartak Moscow 2-1 at home.

It is worth mentioning that Deco scored his first goal since joining Valencia in this game. He has provided 10 assists for the team in all competitions and is yet to score.

Now that the first goal is coming, there will be a steady stream of goals in the future.

The Russian champions, who were full of pride at the time of the draw, did not win a single game in this group stage and were eliminated with a humiliating score of zero.

At the same time, the other group stage was very intense.

Basel scored from the start, taking the lead in the fifth minute and adding two more goals in the 22nd and 29th minutes.

He led 3-0 in the first half.

At that time, the commentator said that the game had lost its suspense and that Basel would advance to the second round of the group stage.

Unexpectedly, in the second half, the situation suddenly changed, and the Liverpool small universe that was forced to a dead end broke out, and they scored two goals in three minutes to make the score 2:3, only two goals short, which gave them hope of qualifying.

Eighty-fifth minute, Michael. Owen scored the third goal for his team to equalise.

In the following time, Basel defended in full force. Cowering in the penalty area and not coming out, Liverpool pressed hard, bombarding the goal around Basel, and even the goalkeeper went up.

They only need one goal to knock Basel out.

But it wasn't until the referee blew the whistle for the end of the game. None of them were able to score again......

Ultimately. After the draw ceremony, Liverpool, who were considered the favourites to qualify, and may even be the first in the group, were eliminated from the competition and could only play the League Cup as the third in the group......

When the game is over. Liverpool's players couldn't believe it. They stood dumbfounded, dumbfounded, unresponsive.

Basel's players were ecstatic, running wild and cheering on the pitch. The entire home stadium of Basel was transformed into a sea of joy. Their cheers. It is even more flattering to Liverpool's downfall......

After all the group stages have been played, UEFA has drawn a second draw for the group stage of the second round.

There are only four groups in the second round-robin group stage.

Valencia have been drawn in Group B, alongside Eredivisie champions Ajax, Serie A giants Roma and traditional Premier League powerhouse Arsenal.

Dutch football at the turn of the century had not yet declined as much as it did in the future, so the Eredivisie teams were still very strong at this time. The strength of this group is also very even, and it is difficult to say who can and can't make it out of the group.

Especially with Valencia.

Everyone no longer dares to judge.

After the last group draw ceremony, Chang Sheng said a good sign. It attracted a lot of criticism, and it turned out that they were telling the truth, and for Valencia, it was a good signing. They won five of their six games and drew one in the group stage, finishing with 16 points.

Such a strong performance. People are also optimistic about their performance in the second round group stage.

The first round of the group stage will kick off on November 27.

It's only been half a month since then.

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On November 6, in the second round of the Copa del Rey, Valencia challenged Aligandi away, and the game was won by substitutes.

He has won the Copa del Rey for two seasons in a row. This season has not taken the Copa del Rey as much as it used to be. It's human nature, the Copa del Rey for him. There's nothing new to his team.

So now for Valencia, the Copa del Rey is a competition for substitutes and young players to train.

It's also good that the substitutes who can't get regular playing in the league have a chance to show themselves in the Copa del Rey.

Valencia, who came on as a full substitute, played 120 minutes away from home and Aligandi, played a 1:1 draw, and finally won on penalties, Valencia won 5:4 and advanced to the third round.

In the ninth round of the league, Real Sociedad played for the second time in this round, and they fought with Deportivo La Coruna in the end, and finally played to a 1:1 draw.

This is definitely good news for Valencia on the second day.

But perhaps it was the news that was too good and made the Valencia players too excited.

As a result, in the next day's game, Valencia was held to a 1-1 draw by Real Betis at their home stadium.

Both teams still have the same 21 points......

What a good brother, sharing difficulties and blessings.

If you want a draw, everyone will draw.

After this game, Chang Sheng scolded the players in the locker room.

Because of the great opportunity, Valencia did not seize it, resulting in a tie with the opponent until now.

In addition to scolding, Chang Sheng also announced that the next day's holiday would be cancelled, and all the players would go to Paterna Sports City, where he would give them a good tactical lesson.

The Valencia players, who were scolded by Chang Sheng, trained hard for the rest of the week.

Then they had their chance in the next round of the league.

Valencia and Real Sociedad play at the same time, with both teams playing away.

Valencia, full of fighting spirit, won 3-1 away at Osasuna.

Real Sociedad, on the other hand, played 0:0 at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid!

In terms of points, Valencia finally surpassed Real Sociedad and won the league alone!

Chang Sheng was pleased with the performance of his players as they finished their game first, so they were all in the dressing room waiting for news from another stadium.

When it was reported that Real Sociedad and Real Madrid had played to a draw, there was a cheer in the dressing room.

The stress that had been pent up for a week had finally dissipated.

After being scolded by Chang Sheng, this team is holding back their energy to prove themselves again.

This is the benefit of prestige [worship].

If it was before, Chang Sheng scolded the team, maybe it would also attract dissatisfaction from the players.

But now, with most of the players worshipping prestige, Chang Sheng scolding them only motivates them, not makes them feel bad.

They are willing to work hard for constant victory.

If you scold them, they will feel the pressure because the manager is not happy.

In the cheers, Chang Sheng announced that he would have a day off tomorrow, and everyone's cheers were even louder.

Won the game, completely dominated the first place in the league, and there is still a holiday to play.

It's really a three-happiness coming!

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ps, from May 1st to May 7th is a double monthly pass period, so if you have a monthly pass, don't leave it until the end of the month. This month's strategy is different from last month.

Please vote for your commuter pass early!