Paris Saint-Germain has no idea who they’ll play in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League but they know they will likely return to the pitch in August and one potential format change could completely change the team’s strategy.
Once the remainder of the Round of 16 ties are completed and the final eight teams are paired against each other, a new report from AS (via Daily Mail) reveals that UEFA is considering making the quarter-finals and semi-finals one-game playoffs instead of being played over two legs.
Furthermore, the semi-finals and finals will be played in Istanbul at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium over a four-day period in what should be an exciting final four type tournament.
Nothing is finalized as of yet and the UEFA Executive Committee will discuss options on June 17. The report also revealed that the Champions League will resume on Saturday, August 8.
The changes will no doubt alter how PSG manager Thomas Tuchel approaches PSG’s quarter-final match. Remember, if no games are played between now and August, PSG players would have had a five-month layoff in between matches. They’ll have to shake off the rust quickly and defeat one of the top teams in Europe in one match to advance.
Will Tuchel choose to try and blitz his opponent from the opening whistle knowing his player’s legs will likely fatigue as the game goes on? Or, will he be conservative and try to hit on the counter? The good thing is Tuchel has plenty of time to think about a strategy but make no mistake about it, if PSG wins the Champions League it will be nothing short of incredible.
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