Some coaches believe that there are issues with the away goals rule and UEFA is set to review it before deciding on a course of action
Football is not a monolithic sport. The game has undergone a number of rulebook changes since it was first codified and continues to adapt.
Consider the back-pass rule, which was introduced in 1992, or even the fact that there are now strict measures when it comes to players' equipment. The introduction of VAR in a number of top-level competitions is the latest example of how the game is continually evolving.
While the fundamental laws of the game remain the same for everyone there are variations on certain rules depending on the competition. There is no extra time in league matches, for example, but there is in some knockout tournaments.
The away goals rule is one of the latest talking points for coaches and there is a possibility that it could be dropped from use by UEFA in its flagship club competition, the Champions League.
With that in mind, we take a look at the rule, its history and whether we have seen the end of it in Europe's premier competition.
What is the away goals rule?
The away goals rule is one of three FIFA-approved methods of deciding the winner of a game in the event of a draw, the others being extra time and penalties.
Normally used in ties which feature home and away legs - the knockout stage of the Champions League, for example - the application of the away goals rule means that any goals scored away from home effectively count double when the scores are level. So, if the aggregate score is level after two legs, the team who scores more away goals is deemed the victor.
First Leg: Team A (home) 1-2 Team B (away)Second Leg: Team B (home) 0-1 Team A (away)
In the above example, Team B progresses thanks to the away goals rule.
The aggregate score of the tie between Team A and Team B is 2-2, but Team B scored twice away from home as opposed to Team A, who only scored once away.
First Leg: Team A (home) 0-2 Team B (away)Second Leg: Team B (home) 0-2 Team A (away)
In this example the aggregate score is also 2-2, but no team progresses by virtue of the away goals rule and the game must go to either extra time or penalties.
The reason for this is because both teams scored the same number of goals away from home and thus neither enjoys an advantage.
First Leg: Team A (home) 2-3 Team B (away)Second Leg: Team B (home) 0-1 Team A (away)
This example, Team B wins the tie on away goals.
While the teams are locked at 3-3 on aggregate, the three goals scored by Team B away from home is more than the one scored away by Team A.
When was the away goals rule introduced?
The away goals rule has been used in football for over half a century having first been introduced in the 1965-66 Cup Winners Cup.
The idea behind the introduction of the rule was two-fold: 1) remove the need for a tie-breaker at a neutral venue and 2) to encourage teams to attack away from home.
It was first invoked in the second round of the tournament in a game between Czech side Dukla Prague and Hungary's Budapest Honved, which took place in November 1965.
With the tie finishing 4-4, Budapest Honved progressed because they scored three goals in Czechoslovakia as opposed to Dukla, who managed just two in Hungary.
It was subsequently expanded to the European Cup (now Champions League) in 1967 and has since been implemented in a wide variety of knockout tournaments across the world.
Will the away goals rule be scrapped?
There have been calls for the away goals rule to be scrapped for quite some time, particularly when it comes to the Champions League.
In 2015, Arsene Wenger branded the rule "outdated" after his Arsenal side were knocked out of the Champions League by Monaco.
"It should count, maybe, after extra time," Wenger told reporters. "This rule was created in the 60s to encourage teams to attack away from home, but football has changed since the 1960s and the weight of the away goal is too big today."
That school of thought is something that a number of top-level coaches concur with. Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone, for example, has pointed out that there is a disadvantage to playing the second leg of a knockout tie at home if the game goes into extra time.
The Argentine told a news conference in May 2018: “UEFA needs to have a look at how difficult it is to play a second leg at home, with your opponent having 30 extra minutes in which one of their goals counts double, when as the home side you don’t have this advantage."
UEFA held discussions with coaches regarding the rule in September 2018 and it is being reviewed, with German newspaper Kicker reporting that the European governing body will soon scrap it.
"The coaches think that scoring goals away is not as difficult as it was in the past," UEFA's deputy secretary general Giorgio Marchetti told reporters. "They think the rule should be reviewed and that's what we will do."
If changes are indeed afoot, it seems more probable that they will be brought in from the 2019-20 season onwards.
Other competitions have opted to dispense with the away goals rule in recent times. The English Football League (EFL) removed the away goals rule for the Carabao Cup in 2018-19, with drawn ties going straight to penalties instead. Previously, the away goals rule came into play after extra time in that tournament.
The EFL has form in that regard, having got rid of away goals for their divisional play-off games in 1999.
jacksonjuan
432
They shouldn’t drop it’s the best it’s what makes UCL more interesting and unpredictable I pray UEFA doesn’t drop if 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿✅✅I love it
chettahzpeed
199
the away goal is a great extension on the "home field advantage". it's a way for a team to demonstrate their potential in such harsh conditions. the home field advantage is a powerful psychological advantage for the home team but for the away team to score more than the opponent can is the ultimate test for them. See: https://psychology.iresearchnet.com/sports-psychology/team-building/home-advantage/ but while that is a good measure for their strength, it is better to demonstrate by actually playing an extra 30 minutes, truly the better team will come out victorious after the extra game, since they clearly needed it the first time after playing 180 minutes
Wezabclorz
153
I disagree dropping the away goal rule as it what makes football really interesting but i think it can be improvised. For example, if the both team draw in score and away goal which lead to extra time, the goal in extra time scored by away team should not be considered an away goal as this situation gives advantage to the away team
MayankAbiNiraula
112
Poor barcelona they ain't making it through even if away goal is scrapped. their.best player in the club normally fails.to connect outside spain in the crucial matches.And fan are so much happy when he scores hatrick against PSV like team.
Hutimp
90
Away goals should stay they add to the excitement of the Champions league
EddyKemboi
86
The reason why away goal,,some people want to rule it out is just because the favourite teams were eliminated via away goal,they never expected teams to be eliminated that way
VanishPrasad
69
Away goals shouldn't be dropped. They add flavor to the games.It makes football more exciting and challenging. Ofcourse each team will have a joke game advantage where each team will play in their home grounds over the 2 legged fixtures.
moyaeilmrz
67
The away goal rule shouldn't be scrapped. It encourages teams to attack away from home and makes the game more exciting. Each team has this opportunity in any game since it's on a home/away bases. If u blow urs? it's up to you. I would rather prefer away goal to a situation where teams relax, and defend to wait for a penalty shootout and probably win a competition. I wish UEFA the best.
Australia2776124
57
I think it’s the perfect rule that way it makes the away side attack more then rather just defend. Makes the game boring. And the second leg it’s up to home side to make sure they get the result in the 90 mins. Take it away and you are left with more of an defensive style of football rather then offensive. I’m all for VAR as it has showed that it works (albeit still need bit of fine tuning) like the goal line technology it has proven to be effective in other sporting codes. Ie cricket , tennis , rugby etc etc Too many sides have lost games or been eliminated out of tournaments due to goal not being granted. It eliminates diving in penalty areas. But away goals I would not change I personally think it’s an excellent rule. What I would change is players faking injuries and chewing up minutes and stopping the momentum of teams. When a player drops and does “Neymar” specials then you should be off the field for 5 mins before you can come back on. That means players won’t lay around pretending to be hurt. That’s what they need to look at Not being granted. So the
jizbklrsty
49
Furthermore, 2 legged tie, is it necessary? Really necessary ? I dont think so except ofcourse to generate more income out of the fans pocket money. Also maybe FIFA to become richer day by day, year by year and the money scam getting involved more and more often could be the underlying moto. To rob peoples bank. Also to burn out players of their physical state and injury setback more likely...otherwise simply organise a game in a neutral zone maybe in Asia, why not. TV subscritions show , there are millions of watchers from this side of the planet. Be fair to all you FIFA corrupted mafias and just scrap off this away goal rules.Sure gonna be better for Football as a true sport. SCRAP is word.