Milan, Jan. 28 (LaPresse) – As the league phase comes to a close with matchday eight, the anticipation surrounding each match and the fact that the stakes are still very high indicate that the new Uefa Champions League format is definitely hitting the mark. On 29 January at 21.00 CET, when all 18 matches will start at the same time,’ Uefa emphasised in a statement, ’27 of the 36 teams will still have something to play for, such as a place in the top eight, a place in the play-offs for the knockout phase or salvation from elimination. Only two matches will not affect qualification. In addition, some teams will try to improve their position in the rankings to avoid the top seeds on the way to the final, to the play-offs and beyond. Each match will affect the other and can make a difference. Undoubtedly there is an incentive to fight until the end, because those who finish in the top eight avoid the play-offs for the knockout phase and play at home in the return leg of the round of 16. The new format had been in preparation for six years and required mathematical models, algorithms and detailed planning to be as entertaining as possible. But despite all the preparation and thousands of simulations, in the end its success had to be decreed on the field. As the league phase draws to a close, it is clear that the changes seen so far have realised Uefa's commitment to offer greater equality and a richer variety of opponents, a more dynamic competition, greater balance, unpredictability and interesting matches from a sporting point of view, as well as more challenges between top clubs.