not a huge fan, but had to accommodate for 4 more teams entering play.
There was a level of excitement when a team would play its 3 group games home/away. Plus, for the traveling fan, made it easier to plan.
2 additional midweek games added ( was 6 in group play, now 8 ) which, if a CL team has a big weekend match-up, you may not see the best 11 out there.
At least they kept the knockout round home/away