Although the old format seems better, it is obvious that the new format brings excitement. It is exciting when strong teams play each other many times. Otherwise, we were expecting the teams leading the group to match each other. Now we watched the Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund match. However, we saw this match in the final last year. We saw very high quality this year. I think the new format is better for the audience.
The new format is better than the old group stage format of four teams per group, with two top teams and two average teams in each group, making it extremely tough for the underdog to qualify and allowing the top teams to qualify from group stages early.
This new format eliminates both that and the advantage of being at home. Teams like as Manchester City, PSG, and Real Madrid would have qualified for the competition after three games in the old format, but they are currently struggling to qualify in the new model.
Yes indeed, I personally feel that this new format is a good format, because the big teams are not easy to finish in the top eight. Although they still have a chance to qualify for the play offs by finishing in the top 24, but this is also at least proof that this new format makes the competition more competitive. Although indeed, I am also sure that for the teams that will advance to the semifinals and up to the final it will still be the top teams that are seeded. But at least, the process to reach the final as it is now becomes more interesting compared to the old format.