YES
Cédric Callier (Journalist at the Figaro Sports Department): “Even if the term“ at a discount ”is undoubtedly too strong, this 2020 vintage will remain forever blocked by this damn virus. Already by the interruption, three months or more long, which has totally changed the face of the season, breaking the dynamics of some, serving the interests of others. Worse, all the teams were not equal in the face of the health crisis. We obviously think of Paris SG and Lyon, which have not resumed their championship and which could lack rhythm in Lisbon.
So of course, this did not prevent the Lyonnais from leaving Juventus Turin, yet freshly crowned with a new domestic coronation in Serie A, in the round of 16 return. Of course, I understand my colleague's excitement at the prospect of attending knockout matches. But if this system is the very essence of the World Cup, it does not adapt well to the Champions League and its round-trip contests offering less of a dream to the rank-less. Because it is well known, in football, on a match, anything is always possible. On two, however….
And then the last argument suggesting that this title will be less valuable than another, the month of June has flown away, and some contracts with it. Enthusiastic in February, the Leipzig team will have to compose without their star striker Timo Werner, who has since left for Chelsea. Paris SG, he said goodbye to Edinson Cavani and Thomas Meunier, and he will miss the first very much. All these factors upset the panorama and give the feeling that the team which will be crowned on August 23 will have been the best of the last two months, and not of the whole season. And I'm not even talking about the impact of the in camera… ”
NO
Christophe Remise (Journalist at the Figaro Sports Department): “No, the 2020 Champions League will not crown a champion at a discount. The format is different (but it hasn't always been the one we've known for a few years), so too is the context (and it's no one's fault except that of the virus), but the he team which will be crowned on August 23 at the Estadio da Luz will inevitably have merit. Maybe even more than usual in view of these exceptional conditions!
Of course, no club arrives in Lisbon by plugging its nose or sending its reserve. Everyone will fight to win this famous Cup with big ears. As usual. This fierce competition is already enough not to consider that it will be a discounted title. It is enough to listen to the players of Paris, Manchester City or Bayern to understand that they do not arrive in Portugal to make tourism there… The Lyonnais too, them who dream aloud to overturn the table.
Besides, the best are there. And those who are not in Lisbon were eliminated in a fair way, even before confinement and in a full stadium for Liverpool, reigning European champion. We can obviously regret the absence of return matches, empty stadiums, but this “World Cup” format should also offer knife matches and even more breathtaking suspense. Strongly Lisbon. While waiting / hoping for a return to normal from next season. "
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