This season’s Champions League has been a goal fest, with high-scoring games becoming the norm. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), currently sitting a disappointing 25th, may soon face elimination unless they deliver a commanding win against Salzburg.
The question arises: is this scoring explosion due to the new league-phase format or widening gaps between Europe’s elite and the rest?
The new 36-team structure has introduced greater stakes for goal difference, often the tiebreaker in tight league tables. This has incentivized teams to chase big wins rather than settle for narrow victories.
For instance, Arsenal and Liverpool recently piled on goals to secure decisive results, while underdogs like Red Star Belgrade have also embraced the aggressive approach, defeating Stuttgart 5-1.
However, the disparity between top clubs and smaller sides is evident. Teams from smaller nations, such as Slovan Bratislava and Young Boys, have struggled heavily, conceding multiple heavy defeats.
The gap between the elite and the rest appears to have grown, raising questions about competitiveness.
Despite the excitement, 17 of the 22 big-scoring games so far have come from Europe’s “big five” leagues, emphasizing the dominance of the continent’s heavyweights.
Critics argue this trend could fuel calls for a Super League, while supporters of the format suggest the final league-phase games will offer clarity.
As the group stage progresses, teams like PSG face mounting pressure to deliver. Whether this season’s goal explosions are a product of structural change or deeper disparities, the impact on Europe’s biggest tournament will be closely watched.
