UEFA chief shares Champions League draw secrets including superstar briefings
UEFA chief Giorgio Marchetti has shed light on what goes on behind the scenes in the Champions League draw, with four Premier League teams getting ready to learn who they will face in the group stage.
Reigning champions Manchester City will be eagerly awaiting their opponents after beating Internazionale in last season's final. They will be joined by Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United, with this season the final edition to comprise 32 teams.
Speaking to The Daily Star Sport, Marchetti opened up about his own role in the draw, with ambassadors - often including superstar past winners - involved. Even those big names feel the pressure, he says, explaining how important briefings help put them at ease.
"The Champions League group phase is no doubt the most complex draw we have to perform across our competitions," Marchetti said. "Europa League and Conference League are the same. There are so many conditions that we have to respect.
"These draws would be impossible to make without the support of technology. So, the draw preparation sees in priority the feeding and testing of the software that shows the available options.
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"But the stage preparation, the balls with the right club names and group letters, the screens, the review of the scripts and many other activities. And for me, obviously, the thorough study of data and information required during the show."
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Giorgio Marchetti has been a familiar face during Champions League draws for a number of years (UEFA via Getty Images)Marchetti admits to still being "embarrassed" when he gets recognised, though he's pleased to learn fans enjoy his contribution. Perhaps more surprisingly, though, he says the nerves on the day can affect even those with experience of playing on the biggest stages.
"[Fans] don’t see the backstage with so many specialists and technicians sitting in front of computer screens, the hectic work of all staff in charge of various functions, directing traffic on stage and making sure that all technical elements are correctly in place, checking many times the draw balls, the arrival of our ambassador, their briefing on how to open the balls," Marchetti added.
"It is hard to believe that world famous stars may feel the pressure when they are live on stage and need to do a simple gesture like opening a ball…but it’s true."
The draw will be the last before the expansion to 36 teams in 2024-25. That change will come with the introduction of a 'Swiss-style' system to replace the group stage, with all the teams involved playing eight times in the first round.
"Next year it will be different, as our club competitions will enter a new era with a completely different format," Marchetti added. This will include four spots for each of the biggest five leagues, with two associations being given an extra spot based on their 2023-24 coefficient score.
"We have been working for a long time already on the new features and the software changes that are needed. I cannot say more for the time being, we will unveil it next year. I hope you will like it."
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