Man City, Real Madrid & PSG will have learned their lesson from Champions League as ex-Bayern Munich chief expects 'full throttle' from Europe's big boys

The new Champions League structure debuted last season and saw the likes of Madrid, Bayern, PSG and City have to fight for their place in the last-16 via a knock-out play-off tie. It marked a big change from the previous format, which resulted in some low-stakes matches at the end of the group stage, with the top teams often guaranteed a place in the next round by week four. 

With the 2025-26 campaign getting underway this week, Rummenigge says he finds the new format much more exciting than the previous one, but expects the bigger teams to start the campaign with maximum intensity to ensure they avoid the risk of an embarrassing exit.

Rummenigge told the German Press Agency: “In the old group phase, everything was often already decided after the fourth matchday. Bayern Munich were regularly eliminated, and there were one or two meaningless games. I think this way as a football fan. The fact alone that four top teams – Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain – had to make it to the playoffs in the first round was proof to me how much more exciting this system is.

"The big teams have understood that they have to go full throttle from the start to get into the top eight – because that's what everyone wants. A year ago, a lot of things were still new; some top clubs were taking a more relaxed approach to one or two matches. I expect a clear learning curve now."

Bayern are looking to go further than they did last season, having been knocked out by Inter at the semi-final stage. However, the club's honorary president, Uli Hoeness, recently dismissed their chances of competing for the crown, labelling Vincent Kompany's side the Hoffenheim of the Champions League. Rummenigge, who had a good rapport with the president, has disagreed with him. 

“No. For once, I disagree with Uli Hoeness when he says we're the Hoffenheim of the Champions League," he said. "We're never underdogs! We may not always be the favorites, but that's not a bad thing."

Bayern will play their first game against Chelsea on September 17, at the Allianz Arena in Munich.