2009-2010 UEFA Champions League Preview | SoccerNation's Blog

After a long four month hiatus, the UEFA Champions League is set to officially begin. This year's qualification system did change a bit, but the format from here on out is still the same. 32 sides -- 8 groups of 4 teams each -- representing a total of 18 nations will partake in the most prestigious of club competitions this year. 16 of these clubs will move onto the knockout stages. These knock-out stages are pretty much do-or-die. Each team will play one leg at home and the other on the road. The team with the most goals scored advances. In the event of a tie, the team with the most away goals will win via the away goals rule. If still tied, then extra time will be played right then and there. If no one scores, then the match will go to penalties. This format will also be used in the quarterfinals and semifinals. This year's final will be hosted at the Santiago Bernabeu, the home of Real Madrid. The final is a one-off tie and if tied at 90, then the match will go to a 30-minute overtime period. If still tied, it will progress to the dreaded penalties. Ok, now let's get to the fun stuff. Let's look at the teams (nation of origin and last year's domestic league finish in parentheses). Click here to continue reading. Please leave comments hear or send me an e-mail!

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September 11, 2009 11:18 AM ET

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Always Remember

September 11, 2001

Wildfan

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September 11, 2009 11:45 AM ET

Great preview. You really have high expectations about my country's FC Porto.

Unfortunately (as I am not a Porto fan) they sell their best players season after season but always manage to find relative unknowns who turn out to be stars.

Hyped78

Lisbon, Portugal, EU

Total Comments (8918)

September 11, 2009 03:38 PM ET

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 11:45 AM ET 09.11 by Hyped78

Great preview. You really have high expectations about my country's FC Porto.Unfortunately (as I am not a Porto fan) they sell their best players season after season but always manage to find relative unknowns who turn out to be stars.

Just a note. I don't have Porto going to the final. That isn't my official prediction. That is merely an example of the format that is used. I can't really make predictions because of the 84 billion draws that take place.