Euro 2016 has been 'devalued' by format changes, says Paul Lambert
Sunday 10 July 2016 19:29, UK
Paul Lambert believes Euro 2016 has been "devalued" because of the number of teams involved in this summer's tournament.
The format of this year's European Championships was changed, with the competition being expanded from 16 teams to 24, meaning four third-placed sides joined the winners and runners-up from the six groups to form a round of 16.
Some have criticised the changes, with Germany boss Joachim Low unhappy with the format, saying the quality of football on show has suffered as a result.
Former Aston Villa and Blackburn boss Lambert agrees with that sentiment, saying more teams were happy to sit and defend knowing they did not necessarily have to win every group game in order to progress in the competition.
"I think there are too many teams in it. The amount of games and, should we say, not so strong countries, I think has devalued it," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"There are games where they are thinking 'we'll sit and just defend, defend, defend' and for the top nations that is a hard thing to get their head around, to play like that when it is meant to be the best teams in Europe.
"I think 24 teams is devaluing the competition."
Finalists Portugal finished third in Group F, drawing all three of their games before needing extra-time to beat Croatia, penalties to beat Poland and then securing their only victory in 90 minutes against Wales in the semi-finals.
Fellow Sky Sports News HQ guest Kevin Campbell agreed with Lambert, saying the top two sides from each group should go through alone.
"The top two should go through in each group and if you are third you are really nowhere, aren't you?
"Having the top two teams playing off against each other, in whatever format, works. Maybe they have expanded it for a reason, they have tried something different, but I don't think it has worked particularly well."
Euro 2020 is set to be hosted in different cities throughout Europe, over a number of locations with the same number of teams, but Lambert does not believe that is a good idea either.
"If I was a fan and had to go to France for one game then head to Holland for the next one, I wouldn't fancy travelling every time," he said.
"I'd rather be based in the country that has been picked or bring the number of teams down to the level that it was in previous years and I think you'll get a better tournament.
"You can't take away the atmosphere at the stadiums, that has been brilliant. The stadiums have been fantastic but I think the competition has come down a level."
