Durhamfootman wrote:I don't understand why we would want to dilute momentum (small m). what's wrong with teams coming to the KO's in red hot form? would that not lead to better quality matches.... or is that not allowed these days?
There has to be some sort of gap between the group stage and the KO stage though.
Firstly, to allow tickets to be sold etc.
Secondly, because with this format of the group winners going straight into the SFs (which, as I say, I like - getting to skip a whole round is a very nice reward for winning your group), then by definition there's a delay whilst they sit out a round.