Revolution in the Champions League takes effect today: 56-year-old rule no longer applies
Created: 02/16/2022, 09:31 am
By: Marius Epp
The knockout phase in European football competitions begins.
For the first time in 56 years, matches will be played without the away goals rule.
Nyon – Football fans can look forward to more drama in the knockout phase of the Champions League*, Europa League and the Conference League: the away goals rule no longer applies for the first time since it was introduced 56 years ago.
The chance of gripping fights with extra time and penalty shoot-outs increases.
The change is significant in many ways.
The away goals rule has defined team tactics and strategies for decades, now a team must score more goals than the opponent to advance to a round.
UEFA* expects more equal opportunities and spectacle from the abolition.
Champions League: Away goal rule no longer applies with immediate effect
It was also spectacular with the away goal rule.
For example, the quarter-finals of the 2009/10 season will remain unforgettable, when FC Bayern* won the first leg against Manchester United* 2-1, but quickly fell 3-0 behind in the second leg.
With the help of Ivica Olic, Arjen Robben and the away goals rule, Munich ultimately progressed.
Scenarios like this are now a thing of the past.
The knockout phase of the Champions League begins on February 15.
© motivio/imago
Of course, the rule also has (or had) its downsides.
In the first leg, the home team often acted defensively to prevent valuable away goals for the opponent.
Now most teams should go into the games with a more open visor.
Wanja Greuel, Managing Director of Young Boys Bern, describes himself as the driving force.
He was elected to the board of the club association ECA in 2019, and his application was well received.
Champions League: rule change to make football "fairer and more attractive".
"I am absolutely convinced that the rule change will make football fairer and more attractive," he said at
Spox
.
He and others argue that the rule is no longer up-to-date because the disadvantage of traveling away has become less and less.
That was originally one of the main reasons for the introduction.
FC Bayern intervenes in the Champions League events * on Wednesday.
In the round of 16 first leg, Munich are challenged at FC Salzburg - before that Julian Nagelsmann gives a press conference.
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