According to multiple reports, UEFA are planning to scrap the away goal rule during extra-time, with the law only being implemented within 90 minutes.
The rule made its debut in the 1965/66 season and has been crucial at times in these 56 years. However, the COVID-19 crisis saw a single or both legs of multiple Champions League and Europa League games being shifted to neutral venues, resulting in concerns that the law doesn’t fit well in modern football.
Just a month after FC Porto’s winner against Juventus in the 115th-minute away from home, UEFA has made formal discussions with experts to explore the idea of discarding the rule. UEFA are almost on the verge to make this historical change in the Champions League, followed by other European tournaments.
However, a final decision is yet to be taken by UEFA’s executive committee, including Andrea Agnelli, chairman of the European Club Association, who also enjoy the same designation at Juventus.
Several managers, including Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Massimiliano Allegri and Unai Emery, had previously voiced their concerns about this law, with ex-Arsenal manager repeatedly questioning its merits.
“I believe the tactical weight of the away goal has become too important. Teams get a 0-0 draw at home and they’re happy. Instead of having a positive effect, it has been pushed too far tactically in the modern game. It has the opposite effect than it was supposed to have. It favours defending well when you play at home.”
Wenger said in a press conference over a decade ago.
The deputy general secretary of UEFA, Giorgio Marchetti, said that the association is reviewing the law after receiving complaints from teams and coaches.
“The coaches think that scoring goals away is not as difficult as it was in the past. They think the rule should be reviewed and that’s what we will do,”
he stated.
As per football stat experts Squawka, the managers’ opinion has been clearly backed by the numbers which show that the visiting team for the first leg have won more games in recent years, while the home teams have failed to keep a clean sheet on numerous occasions.
