Netherlands’ Captain Giovanni Van Bronckhorst
UEFA has published Champions League regulations for next season confirming a seeding change to reward national league winners.
Top-seeded teams in eight groups will be the defending Champions League winner plus titleholders in the seven highest-ranked countries.
If the Champions League winner also wins its national title, then the eighth top-seeded team is the Netherlands champion.
That is PSV Eindhoven, which is only 30th-
ranked in UEFA’s club standings.
Currently, top-seeded teams are the eight highest-ranked in a five-year results cycle in UEFA competitions.
The new system should elevate league-leading Juventus and Zenit St. Petersburg, plus France’s champion.
On current standings, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Porto will drop in status in the Aug. 27 draw.
Real Madrid would also drop down if Barcelona wins the Champions League and Spanish league. AP
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