If ever there was a time when the Champions League needed to come out kicking and screaming to justify its existence, this is it.
There were plenty who wanted to kill it off in pursuit of the untold riches of a cosy closed shop, bulldozing football's wonderful traditions as they clamoured for Wall Street cash.
European football may have seen off the Super League threat - for now, anyway - but that hasn't stopped UEFA's infernal tinkerers senselessly redesigning their best competition.
Mohamed Salah scores from the spot to settle Liverpool's thriller with Atletico Madrid
The expanded 36-team Champions League group stage, which will see every participant play 10 instead of the current six matches, is coming our way in 2024.