Next season, a change to the Champions League knockout format will see the top eight teams play their second leg at home. This adjustment, previously applied only to the Round of 16, is expected to influence teams' strategies, particularly Bayern Munich, to ensure they finish in the top eight for a better chance of advancing. High-profile matches this season revealed mixed effects of home advantage. Essential victories and eliminations in the knockout stage raise questions about whether this new home-field rule will truly enhance outcomes for the favored teams.
Beginning next season, the top eight teams from the league phase of the Champions League will play the second leg at home for the rest of the knockout rounds.
Interestingly, Inter Milan were the only club with the second leg at home to move to the semi-finals - advancing over Bayern with a draw at home after winning in Munich.
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