Thierry Henry, the former Barcelona forward, has expressed his desire for the return of the away goals rule in the Champions League, following Barcelona’s recent encounter with Inter Milan. The away goals rule was abolished by UEFA in 2021, a decision prompted by concerns over its fairness which was debated among coaches, fans, and football stakeholders before its removal.
The rule, introduced in 1965, was intended to encourage attacking play in away matches. However, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin noted that its abolition aimed to counteract its unexpected consequence: teams often played defensively in first legs for fear of conceding away goals, which tipped the competition’s balance.
Henry’s remarks came after a semi-final match where Inter Milan managed to score three goals away from home, leading him to question why such a performance wouldn’t be rewarded. He stated, “how can you score three goals away from home and you don’t have an advantage?” Emphasizing the significance of scoring in away matches, he lamented that despite Inter’s three-goal achievement, they would head into the return leg without the supposed benefit of the away goals rule.
As Inter prepares to host Barcelona at San Siro, the absence of this rule leaves many wondering about the strategic implications of the match. The last meeting between these two clubs on Inter’s home turf resulted in a 1-0 victory for the Italians, highlighting the potential for another thrilling encounter.
This discussion around the away goals rule reflects the evolving nature of football and its ongoing efforts to enhance fairness and excitement in UEFA competitions. With advocates like Henry voicing their thoughts, we might see future changes that could reshape the tournament’s dynamics.