UEFA establish controversial new seeding system for Champions League Group Stage

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Starting next season, UEFA have announced they will be introducing a new seeding system for the group stages in the Champions League. The new rule states that “Pot 1” in the annual Champions League draw will only consist of the winner of the previous tournament and the champions of the “Top 7” leagues (England, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Russia, and Germany). This rule creates higher chances for “Groups of Death” since there will be more powerhouse teams in Pot 2.

"Here’s how this season’s Champions League seedings would’ve looked like, as illustrated over at the mothership. (Teams in bold have been promoted one or two groups; teams in italics have been relegated.)POT 1: Real Madrid (as holders); Atletico Madrid; Bayern Munich; Manchester City; Paris Saint-Germain; Benfica; Juventus; CSKA MoscowPOT 2: Barcelona; Chelsea; Arsenal; Porto; Schalke 04; Borussia Dortmund; Shakhtar Donetsk; BaselPOT 3: Zenit Saint Petersburg; Bayer Leverkusen; Olympiacos; Ajax; Liverpool; Sporting; Galatasaray; Athletic BilbaoPOT 4 (unchanged): Anderlecht; Roma; APOEL; BATE; Ludogorets Razgrad; Maribor; Monaco; Malmo-David PasztorWeAintGotNoHistory.SbNation.com"

The main difference this rule creates is that all of the big teams will be more spread out throughout the pots, creating more “Groups of Death” and also possibly….”Groups of Life”….*ba dum tss*.

But in all seriousness, this new rule can be looked at as a good and bad thing. It rewards teams from all leagues who won in their respective countries, which broadens why the league is called the “Champions” league, but it leaves teams who are clearly better out of Pot 1.