Karl-Heinz Rummenigge knows goal difference is the key to the new Champions League format – a lesson Celtic could have done with learning before their trip to Borussia Dortmund.
The Hoops play their third game in the new-look competition this week in Italy against Atalanta. They currently sit in 20th position out of 36 teams after a thumping home win against Slovan Bratislava was followed by a 7-1 hammering from Borussia Dortmund in Germany. The new league format, with eight games rather than six against a wider spread of opponents, is likely to finish tight on points. And goal difference – which is now the primary tie-breaker – is likely to be the deciding factor in some team’s fates. After thrashing Celtic, Dortmund are now top of the 36-team league, while the Hoops could be FIVE places better off had they not shipped goals for fun in Germany.
Had they even lost by two or three goals, they could even be above Real Madrid in 17th place. That’s the difference between losing and losing handsomely, but Rodgers insists he wouldn’t have done anything differently in Germany – leading to some criticism and headscratching among punters.
But Rummenigge – the former World Cup winner who was a vice-president and CEO of Bayern and is still on their board – reckons the new-look competition is exciting because goals are especially important. He said: “The old group phase was boring because after the fourth matchday, things were clear. Now it is more difficult, even for the good clubs, to qualify. I am convinced that the fans will gradually appreciate the new league phase more and more.
“You have to look at the goals scored, for example. Like us scoring nine goals against Dinamo Zagreb and Borussia Dortmund scoring seven goals against Celtic.
“Goals now play a huge role for the first time. The old group phase was usually very predictable. And the worst thing in football is boredom.”