Bayern versus Barcelona: world-class football
Photo:Manu Fernandez / AP
Sky announced a record on Thursday. According to the broadcaster, more than two million viewers watched the Bayern semi-finals against Lyon. It was never again in a single game in the Champions League. In addition, there are the spectators who watched the game in pubs or with friends or who used Sky Ticket. And then there were those who watched it via DAZN.
When FC Bayern is successful in the premier class, there is naturally great interest. That is even more true when he has just beaten Barcelona 8-2. Presumably, however, the new mode at this final tournament in Lisbon also contributed to the fact that a particularly large number of people tuned in.
The tournament was born out of the Corona emergency. Due to the pandemic, it will be played without spectators, in one place and with as few games as necessary.
The result is a format that has what it takes to be the best football event ever. A kind of world championship, compressed and on a higher level.
World class football on a daily basis
That was evident from the first game. Little Atalanta that Paris Saint-Germain had on the verge of defeat before Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting became a hero.
Conflict of football fairy tales: Joker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (front) threw Atalanta out of the competition with his goal
Photo: DAVID RAMOS / AFPRB Leipzig, which was tactically as spectacular against Atlético as only teams with exceptional coaches who do not pick up on trends but develop their own ideas. Pep Guardiola's sensational end with Manchester City, which did not become the story of the quarter-finals only because Bayern wrote an even bigger one against Barcelona.
Behind us lies world-class football in a daily rhythm that only club teams can deliver. Unlike national teams, their cadres are stronger, their eleven more well-rehearsed, and their coaches are often more experienced.
The fact that the rounds were played in just one game each instead of the two-legged friendship played its part. In just one duel on neutral ground, the outsiders' chances grow. The shorter the playing time, the greater the chaos factor. A deflected shot, a referee mistake, a missed big chance, such events are more difficult for the favorites to make up for in 90 minutes than in 180. Man City will be able to confirm that.
A blank remains
There were good reasons to go to this tournament as a spectator with ambivalent feelings. Teams had to compete with no players to help get them into this Final Eight. At some point, however, many of them were gripped by the appeal of this competition. This is not only borne out by the TV ratings, but also by our readership at SPIEGEL.de.
At the same time there was a vacancy in Lisbon.
Anyone who has ever been to a Champions League final will never forget the atmosphere. If you hide the Uefa staging around the game, there are two fan groups, thousands of people who have invested time, money and nerves to be part of this experience. Your teams can become the most successful on the continent, maybe they will experience it once in their life. You can tell how much that means to them. During the game, before kick-off, but also during the day, in the city centers of the final venue.
Champions League trophy in Lisbon
Photo:RAFAEL MARCHANTE / REUTERS
But there were hardly any fans in Lisbon.
An oversized balloon in the shape of the Champions League trophy was set up on the Rossio, a central square. Normally, quite a few people would have gathered here every day. But now there was only a few people walking around in the jersey. There was no teasing between fans of different clubs, no singing duels, but also no rapprochement. And that is what such events are about.
The souvenir shops sold merchandise from the teams that played in the evening. When it was the turn of Leipzig and Atlético, RB scarves were actually found in downtown Lisbon. Has anyone already bought one? The seller shrugs his shoulders. Who should have bought it?
World class inside, silence outside
During the games in Lisbon and its stadiums, the rule was: world class inside, silence outside.
But at some point viewers will be able to be there again. Should one stick to the mode then?
Anyone who is interested in football alone will answer yes.
The football clubs and the European association Uefa should say no.
To end the Champions League as the highlight of the season and to play it in compact form would mean permanently reducing the number of games. Fewer games mean less income. From the match day on which ticket revenues were lost. From the TV money, because the broadcasters are likely to have little interest in transferring similar sums for less airtime. And there are not many football games that are more lucrative than the knockout matches of the Champions League.
In the end, there was less money left for Uefa and less for clubs. And how likely is it that they will forego profits in favor of greater tension?
Just.
Icon: The mirror