Thierry Henry appeared to call for the return of the away goals rule in the aftermath of the bombastic Champions League semi-final between Inter Milan and Barcelona.
The visitors at the Estadio Olimpic Lluis Companys came within milimeters of clinching the first leg of the final-four clash after former Arsenal star Henrikh Mkhitaryan netted late in the second-half.
But the linesman was quick to raise his flag, and semi-automated offside ruled out what would have been a thrilling conclusion to the high-octane 3-3 draw.
The hosts came from behind twice to share the spoils, chasing Inter Milan from the first minute of the game after Marcus Thuram stunned the Barcelona faithful into silence with his neatly flicked goal.
Denzel Dumfries doubled Inter's lead 20 minutes later, but it took just three more for the Blaugrana to finally get on the scoresheet courtesy of a moment of magic from teenage starlet Lamine Yamal.
Ferran Torres drew Barcelona level ahead of the break, but Lamal was forced to play catch-up again in the second-half after Dumfries scored his second.
In light of the impressive effort from Inter, Henry wondered if the team should have got more from the fixture ahead of the second-leg at the San Siro.
'I know it's been like that for a very time, and we have to accept it,' Henry said of the removal of the away goals rule, 'But off air I was talking to Jamie (Carragher), and I was like, "how can you score three goals away from home and you don't have an advantage?"
'Away goals for me were massive, you score three goals away and you still don't have an advantage 0-0 at home,' Henry shrugged.
UEFA took the decision to scrap the rule which gave goals scored away from home the ability to act as a tiebreaker in the case of level scorelines ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Current FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger claimed during his time as Arsenal manager in 2015 that the away goals rule 'encouraged the team at home not to attack' and that 'the weight of the away goal (was) too big today'.
Without the rules, the tie at San Siro will go to extra time and penalties to decide which teams books their spot in the Champions League final.
But based on Wednesday evening's performance, Henry seemed to give Inter a fighting chance against the newly minted Copa del Rey champions.
'I didn't think that Inter Milan was going to perform how they did for how they played recently,' Henry continued.
The Serie A side have been challenging for league honours for most of the season but have suffered a small blip in form of late, losing to Roma and Bologna in their last two domestic ties.
'You have to give them a lot of credit for matching up what Barcelona gave them, coming strong in the game,' Henry said. 'To be honest, I didn't expect that.'
blackBeed
72
I always questioned the reasoning behind the removal. you travel away from home and you're able to penetrate their defense but still don't get an advantage for all that hard-work. I guess it is what it is
GunnerT10
55
Because Inter scored 3goals?? What exactly did inter play? Henry should stop exaggerating.
MUTABARUKS
34
Meaning Inter at home can just park the bus for 0-0 and proceed? That is why UEFA scrapped it. To proceed a team has to win at least one game.
RonaldDinho_10
32
Then why should Inter play all their 2nd legs of knock out matches at their home, we played only once, this is crazy But no problem we will settle it at San Siro, as for Inter defensive tactics we scored 3 goals, and hit the woodwork 3 times, they just scored some lucky goals, in absence of balde and lewa
Dokcdnopt
26
removal of the rule was the best decision made for football anyone who advocates for its reinstatement has limited mindset
QueriisFiasi
19
Poor Henry. He must desperately want Barca to be eliminated.
AFerBUXF3815
13
Because Inter scored 3goals?? What exactly did inter play? Henry should stop exaggerating.
Imagine not playing and still scoring goals lol
satbcety
13
I always questioned the reasoning behind the removal. you travel away from home and you're able to penetrate their defense but still don't get an advantage for all that hard-work. I guess it is what it is
Fake and hypocrite, will you say the same thing if is Barca that scored 3 goals away? when the rules doesn't favor the side you support you wish they change it for you. this rule is the best no room to go sit back both home and away, you must play football well to deserve going thru.
Kasdikmnyz
11
I love it they abolish it because it makes the home team not to attack and they won't play an entertaining football just like what we saw yesterday because the home team will be wanting to defend all through. so there's a big sense in removing it
ruyaelosu
10
Because Inter scored 3goals?? What exactly did inter play? Henry should stop exaggerating.
they didn't play they scored 3 goals at Barca home let's see how lose at the san siro. Barca is out cry less
Jummer
9
Every team travel and play on their time its better for the goals to hit the net to be counted thats how the sufferings worthy no need for away goal.
kayapeople
9
Because Inter scored 3goals?? What exactly did inter play? Henry should stop exaggerating.
my Dr. those goals wasn't score by a penalty .the outplayed barca stay quiet
puwacdempr
9
Because Inter scored 3goals?? What exactly did inter play? Henry should stop exaggerating.
Inter Milan players played Stone. Idiot.
Yutacnsy
8
Then why should Inter play all their 2nd legs of knock out matches at their home, we played only once, this is crazy But no problem we will settle it at San Siro, as for Inter defensive tactics we scored 3 goals, and hit the woodwork 3 times, they just scored some lucky goals, in absence of balde and lewa
whatever makes you sleep at night. this is the most idiotic and foolish comment I have ever read. just accept it that inter played well and you Barca were not expecting it and move on for next week game.