Champions League - group stage or knockout?

[Quinlad]

Last night's games were embarrassing. Qualification had already been settled in the previous round of games and all that was up for grabs was top spot or third place. We were watching reserve teams in some games.

Was the competition more exciting when it was an unseeded knockout tournament? Or is it better to keep the glamour teams in the competion at the business end, even it makes the first half of the tournament dull?

[Davethedog]

Yes it was a free draw and the chance of an upset.

Why keep the "glamour" teams in? Unless you support them why should they have the edge? and the money

[Gromit]

I don't agree that the group stage is dull. The matches I have seen so far have been good. Even last night when Man U who had already qualified were only playing for top or runner up, the match was pretty entertaining.

I also remember when it was knockout and the British interest were knocked out early, that the tournament fizzles out for millions of viewers.

[China Doll]

Wouldn't keeping them in be the only chance some people have of seeing the big teams with the cost of ticket prices (and indeed the fact that some teams are just chronic given my experience of championship and lower divisions)? I'd think that would be reason enough really.