Last year Diego Simeone was very vocal about his disagreement on goals scored in the away leg having more value, and it appears they were listening.
UEFA is reconsidering the current format of its competitions (Champions League, Europa League and the international Nations League) removing the extra value that away goals have.
Away goals rule could be scrapped
At present, as most fans will know, if a two-legged tie ends with the score even then goals in the opposition's stadium act as extra, a long-standing rule. But based on consistent feedback from some of the game's top coaches, European football's governing body could be ready to remove this rule.
"I do not understand why in the return leg a team has thirty minutes to score a goal that is worth more than the one you score at home," said Atlético Madrid's Diego Simeone last September, while participating in UEFA's Elite Club Coaches Forum.
The proposal led by Simeone was joined by other coaches at the meeting, including Ancelotti (Napoli) and Tuchel (PSG). "I think we should look for a solution," Cholo added to the debate.
Now, following those statements, according to German magazine Kicker, UEFA is considering the elimination of the away goals rule, which could alter the approach taken by managers and players.
chidesco1
134
Please UEFA don't. The away goal rule has been one of the reasons why we recognize and love the UCL. Any can benefit and at the same time be hampered by it. Simeone only spoke against it maybe because it didn't favour him. After all in 2016, he defeated Bayern on away goals and didn't complain. The rule should stay.
datsama
105
if you think the away goal rule is unfair, how about playing extra 30 minutes in the opponent home stadium isn't that more unfair??
tahadlmpry
87
Chelsea suffered from this at the hands of Barca in 2009. The first leg went 0_0 at the Nou Camp and 1_1 at Stanford Bridge, but barca took the day for one goal away. This sent me crazy. I hope all will change one day.
JMI-17
62
for me I would say removing it will also remove the flare and drama associated with this cup UCL bcus its what brings drummer to the game its what's makes a team who have won 2-1 in the first league go all out to play the second like they just meeting it increase the intensity Roma knocked out FCB last season after de bet Roma 1st leg I was like it's all done but when there is a glimer of hope then Roma played with all there might. yes sometimes its looks unfair but we or know its what's makes the UCL totally unpredictable. pls if ur only reason to say it should be changed is bcus u side fell to it then u have no genuine reason, bcus that's why it is a league for Champions and champions alone.
Cunaekmp
59
what a fantastic decision that would be. Some clubs have suffered so much in the hands of the away goal rule. I could remember some season back, Bayern Munich beat Arsenal 3:1 at the Emirates, Arsenal went to Allianz Arena and beat Bayern 2:0 only for Bayern to go through via a superior away goal rule and so many instances.