How the new European competition format impacted UEFA Conference League's competitiveness

This season marked a significant reform of European competitions, which also affected the UEFA Conference League. UEFA introduced a single league table and a league phase, citing increased excitement and competitiveness as key goals. But has it delivered on these promises?

Details: The X-account Football Meets Data provided an analysis of the standings with one matchday left in the league phase, and it appears UEFA's claims were not exaggerated. The new format has indeed brought much more competition.

Compared to last season, only three of the 36 teams have been eliminated from the tournament with one matchday to go. Last season, that number was 11 out of 32—over a third of the participants. Only four teams out of 36 currently have nothing left to play for, compared to nearly four times as many last season (14 out of 32).

Most importantly, every match in the sixth and final round has implications for the standings. Last season, four out of the 16 final-round matches held no weight in the table.

Reminder: After the fourth round, five teams, including Chelsea, Legia, and Jagiellonia, had already secured playoff berths. However, only the "Blues" are guaranteed a spot in the Round of 16.