In the 90th minute, Kingsley Coman scored the now less important away goal for FC Bayern to make it 1-1 in Salzburg. For years, it was part of the basics of football evenings to work out what effects this or that goal would have, and experienced viewers would have known without thinking that Coman’s goal would have given FC Bayern a 0-0 draw in the round of 16 second leg. Even more experienced fans would have argued that this also had tactical consequences, because Salzburg would then have been forced to score and would have had to take the initiative at some point in Munich.
Now, as of this season, the away goals rule is history. And even if the reasoning that travel is no longer as arduous as it was when it was introduced in 1965 is of course valid and difficult to refute, the reform also has effects that are only now being seen in their full glory. Among other things, a latent devaluation of the first leg.
Without the rule that Coman’s goal is weighted in the event of a tie, it makes absolutely no difference, at least mathematically, whether he scores in the 90th minute in Salzburg or in the 2nd minute in Munich. So the first legs, unless they end by more than three goals, become even more of a 90-minute prelude, a big roll-in.
By abolishing the away goals rule, international football has shifted the moment of tension
At the same time, the new arithmetic ensures that the club playing the second leg at home enjoys an even greater advantage. Even while the away goals rule was in force, officials said “the main thing is the second leg at home” was a standard phrase at every draw. For reasons: Hardly any other statistical variable in football is as significant and clearly proven as home advantage. And when pandemic-related viewership restrictions eventually become a thing of the past, there’s nothing to suggest that it won’t be fully effective again. In the round of 16 of the Champions League, the advantage is still sportingly deserved, because group winners receive this bonus. From the quarter-finals (and corresponding rounds of the Europa League and Conference League) it’s just luck of the draw.
By abolishing the away goals rule, international football has at first glance eliminated an ancient paragraph, but at second glance not only shifted the moment of tension, but also sacrificed an elegant tie-breaker. Inevitably, there will now be more overtime and penalties in the second leg, which of course is welcome if you like penalties – but it creates further disparities. The famous saying of Real legend Juan Gómez, known as Juanito, that 90 minutes at the Bernabéu is a long time becomes even more true. Because as a guest in Madrid you only have disadvantages in the case of an extension. You have to play away 30 minutes longer than at home and you get nothing in return.
