I agree. I think that the clubs that don't reach the Group Stage but would reach the Group Stage if it had 48 clubs would rather do well in the Europa League than get pounded in the Champions League. The only change I would make is removing the Europa League winner spot. If UEFA feels the need to reward the Europa League winner then move the UEFA Super Cup earlier and give the winner of that a spot in the Champions League with the Champions League winner not guaranteed a spot. Then people would take the Super Cup more seriously if one or both clubs did not qualify for the Champions League through their domestic league. Some people would insist on an automatic spot for the defending champion of the Champions League, but the World Cup removed that automatic spot so why can't the Champions League remove it also?