Watching 18 football matches at the same time is an overstimulation experience that's slowly sinking in - just as well it is, given I still have a couple of weeks to process. What unfolded last night on Champions League group stage final day was both thrilling and exhausting, with numerous twists and turns that kept me guessing.
From Chelsea going up and down the table to Pafos scoring a beauty, there were moments that made me feel genuine joy – but also ones that left me feeling bewildered and slightly annoyed. The handball law, in particular, has become an ICC-level disaster that's almost as frustrating to watch as it is to explain.
The UEFA format does offer something: entertainment value. It's a spectacle like no other, with 36 teams jostling for position over eight games – a recipe that guarantees excitement and chaos. Even José Mourinho couldn't help but be overcome with emotion after one of his goalkeepers scored an incredible flying header against Real Madrid, a moment that left me grinning from ear to ear.
But while the format might have created some electrifying moments, it's also turned the game into a content machine. The sheer volume of games is overwhelming, and trying to watch multiple matches simultaneously felt like a marathon rather than a sprint. There's no time to reflect on what you've just seen; one match ends, and the next begins.
In an age where everything is instantly available at our fingertips, this format feels like an indulgence we can't quite get used to. It's not sustainable, nor does it feel right. There are still moments of beauty – Marcus Rashford scoring a free-kick, Viktor Gyökeres finding the back of the net – but they're fleeting. As I watched Cambridge United beat Shrewsbury 1-0 just hours before, the difference in pace and excitement was stark.
The football calendar needs to strike a balance between showcasing these one-off events and maintaining some semblance of normality. While this format might become an occasional treat for die-hard fans, it's also worth considering whether we need this level of stimulation every week.
From Chelsea going up and down the table to Pafos scoring a beauty, there were moments that made me feel genuine joy – but also ones that left me feeling bewildered and slightly annoyed. The handball law, in particular, has become an ICC-level disaster that's almost as frustrating to watch as it is to explain.
The UEFA format does offer something: entertainment value. It's a spectacle like no other, with 36 teams jostling for position over eight games – a recipe that guarantees excitement and chaos. Even José Mourinho couldn't help but be overcome with emotion after one of his goalkeepers scored an incredible flying header against Real Madrid, a moment that left me grinning from ear to ear.
But while the format might have created some electrifying moments, it's also turned the game into a content machine. The sheer volume of games is overwhelming, and trying to watch multiple matches simultaneously felt like a marathon rather than a sprint. There's no time to reflect on what you've just seen; one match ends, and the next begins.
In an age where everything is instantly available at our fingertips, this format feels like an indulgence we can't quite get used to. It's not sustainable, nor does it feel right. There are still moments of beauty – Marcus Rashford scoring a free-kick, Viktor Gyökeres finding the back of the net – but they're fleeting. As I watched Cambridge United beat Shrewsbury 1-0 just hours before, the difference in pace and excitement was stark.
The football calendar needs to strike a balance between showcasing these one-off events and maintaining some semblance of normality. While this format might become an occasional treat for die-hard fans, it's also worth considering whether we need this level of stimulation every week.
. I mean it's exciting to see all the teams playing but it feels like a marathon rather than a sprint 
. The handball rule is still super annoying 
and sometimes I feel like the goalkeepers are just lucky 
. But you're right, the format does create some amazing moments 
like when that Real Madrid keeper scored that crazy header 
. It's all about finding a balance between showing off these special events and not making it too much for us to handle 
. Maybe we can have more mid-week breaks or something? Just feels like too much, you know? 
. But seriously tho, the handball law is giving me so much anxiety it's like... how do we even explain this to newbies lol? 
. I mean, I'm all for excitement and whatnot, but sometimes a little less would be nice 
.
. It's like, no thanks! Give me a break at some point 
was so hyped but tbh it feels like they're overdoing it with these group stage matches 8 games in one week is crazy 
can't even watch all that football without losing track of which game is what lol 
and don't even get me started on the handball rule 
. 36 teams, 8 games... it's crazy! 
. But, for real, trying to watch multiple matches at once felt like a endurance test 
. Can't we just have one or two big games per week instead of this non-stop marathon? 
. Maybe the football calendar should take a cue from Stranger Things and have some downtime between seasons 
The format is just too much to handle. And what's with the constant switching between games? It feels like we're missing out on some of the magic because we're too busy watching one match while trying to catch our breath before the next one starts 
.
. Maybe it's time for UEFA to rethink their schedule and find a better balance between the excitement of these big matches and the need for some downtime? 
A fan can dream, right? 