This is why the drawing is a bit crooked. I mean its not "fake" or corrupt or anything like that, I believe it is fair. But the system has to change without a doubt. Fenerbahce is a 300 million euro club, instead of them, Kairat is going, Pafos is going, Qarabag is going and such. I mean I get it, we are seeing smaller teams have a chance to play at UCL thanks to this and that's good for them, but its not great for football.
Because there is a 99% chance these teams will finish with either 1 point or zero point, because of how small they are and how everyone else is better than them. They should be at conference league or Europa league level at best. Because of bad drawing luck, two of the biggest teams in qualifying matched each other.
Yes it appears out of balance on paper. However the updated format aims to upend the status quo & give underdogs a chance. The historic entries this season, Kairat defeating Celtic, Pafos defeating Red Star & Bodo/Glimt thrashing Sturm Graz, are not coincidences, they are exactly what UEFA wanted.
Simulations actually demonstrate that, in contrast to the previous 4team group model, the new incomplete round robin system lessens the influence of draw luck. Let's face it, elevating smaller clubs to prominence does not detract from football, rather it attracts new supporters, cultures, stadium atmospheres & real magic moments that larger clubs are unable to create.
The season does favor underdogs however that is not a bad thing, it is purposeful, thrilling & just what football needs.