The new format or playoffs for 9 to 24 place is an interesting concept, it gives a chance for weak clubs to advance to the round of 16. Only clubs ranked 1st to 8th qualify automatically for the round of 16, the rest of the best in the playoffs. Of course this concept is also fair for clubs ranked in the top 8, because in the round of 16 they will face clubs that have just qualified from the playoffs.
There are positive and negative values to the new format and maybe for some teams who are fighting for trophies in the domestic league will experience a little challenge because they have to appear consistently in several crucial matches that occur so they have to chase victory in every match. Qualifying automatically for the round of 16 is the hope of most teams and with the new format there is also an opportunity for weak teams to advance to the round of 16 through the playoffs. The top teams will definitely benefit but the weak teams also have the same opportunity with this new format.
To be honest, I see that the change in the current UEL format is more inclined provide more competitive competition and we as spectators actually see it as a positive thing even though it has become a nightmare for big🤣 teams, with the change in the format of the competition, each team is required to have a good squad depth, because with the increase in the number of clubs and also matches, Of course, it will require extraordinary performance and consistency to their remain balanced both in the domestic league and the UEL this season, in addition from the tight schedule which may be owned by big teams, precisely has opened up opportunities for underdog teams to be able to compete today as title contenders and that we did not find in the old format of the UEL previously.