Keep or scrap away goals Rule? Allegedly Arsene Wenger said. “The weight of the away goal is too heavy, too big and is not justifiable anymore,”
IF the away-goals rule was introduced to reduce the number of two-legged fixtures from entering extra-time, this is surely only more incentive to scrap extra-time too. Extra-time does not allow teams to mount constant, relentless pressure upon the opposition for more than 15-17 minutes. And as well as the change of ends, the fourth substitution only provides more obstacles of that constant pressure. IF penalties are really that much of a 'villain-maker', instead of creating hero(es); the challenge of scoring a goal from a centre-circle start, in 10 seconds would just as quickly resolve a 180-minute deadlock. Should there be sufficient resources to introduce VAR personnel and facilities, then potentially reducing second-leg TV/radio coverage by 40 minutes isn't exactly rocket science...
I do agree that having extra-time in the 2nd leg of a tie just because the scores are similar makes little sense. Not only is it an additionnal period that didn't occur in the 1st leg but it also gives the away side an additionnal 30 minutes to grab a highly-coveted away goal. It would make more sense to not bother with this usually tedious half-hour and go straight to pens. I've always been in favour of keeping the away-goal rule as I reckon an awful lot of ties would go to (useless) ET and pens if it didn't exist. Wenger is old school and should really keep some of his remarks for himself. If away goals are that important then it is up to the teams to adapt and have more of a go whilst playing away from home. Play by the rules and don't complain when things aren't going your way, Arsène. He didn't do it when he was managing and it doesn't look like he has changed a lot since going into punditry.
The rule provides excitement but sometimes the results leave a bitter taste in the mouth. Some genuine quality defensive performances get ignored. It’s happened twice in my time watching Arsenal. Lost the home leg 1-3 and won the away leg 2-0. Why should the 3 away goals take importance over the 2 away goals when the two away goals have a clean sheet to go with them? However there isn’t a viable alternative to stop overly defensive knockout ties.
I have nothing against penalty shoot-outs myself, in that regardless as to whether they make heroes or villains, if you're lucky enough to have the chance to progress to a Champions' League/Europa League final then 180 minutes is more than satisfactory to settle the issue. But specifically the 'away goals rule'; there's an art to defending. My issue is when this 'art' of defending turns to the dirty tricks in such brutal times. The 1980's game made so compelling to many young people, like myself - if you can't beat an opponent for either individual talent, bravery or team co-ordinated strategy/work-rate, then why bother chasing false glory..? Arsenal lost at home to Bayern and Monaco 1-3; both times 'winning' 0-2 in Bavaria and Monte Carlo second-legs. Similarly, the 0-2 home leg defeats on Man City & Arsenal by Barca & Bayern that again, were not retrievable point to the same factor: It's a 180-minute mini-contest, and you've got to be ready to play flat out for 180+ minutes. If the game was played so that viewers who watched a game of football for 90 minutes would be able to foresee how an outcome was realised through talent and strategy - not cunning or professionalism, then the defensive aspects to the game would be far more respected - and celebrated - by many, many more fans, if not everyone. That, I'm afraid, may only become reality IF we revert to the old school method of officiating: the ref's decision is not only 'final', but his/her own sanction according to the crime - instead of a b&w legal text, there to be 'got around' and/or manipulated...
I have thought for years that away goals should not count in extra time because it is very unfair on the home team in the second leg. Uefa and all football rule makers are just so slow at realising things sometimes or just prefer their stupid rules. Its taken this long to change this rule so I'm guessing the millimetres offside rule will be around for years
Exactly. I'm sure Fergie used to get praised non stop because United consistently got at least one away goal when they played away first, whether they won drew or lost. It may change the dynamics of the game but it's not a surprise - you know about it in advance, and so it just becomes another test of whether you're really the best manager/team in Europe. Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk
The away goals rule should stay but away goals still counting after 180 minutes should be scrapped and should've never existed. Made no sense. I think that rule is the one uefa are finally looking to scrap anyway
Remember watching Wrexham go out of the Cup Winners Cup to Real Zaragoza on away goals having drawn 0-0 in Spain and 2-2 at home. Was thinking what a bugger going out not having lost in either games.
I can see the point in the away goal, but I don't know what's best. Either scenario, going out to either away goal or penalties is probably both as painful.
Now it's done! After 56 years in existence, UEFA scraps the away goal rule in all European competitions! UEFA kippt Auswärtstorregel in allen europäischen Wettbewerben
I think away goals has produced some fantastic moments. I saw UEFA's president had said this and I don't think he's right tbh. I hope he's using data that actually backs this up prior to the pandemic opposed to making a decision on the past year or two. I think there's a clear advantage in playing at home and we saw that in the last normal season in UEFA competion - 18/19. The two semi finals were incredible with home advantage playing a massive part.
