Joy of away-goals rule

The criticism of the away-goals rule ignores the moments of excitement that it continues to provide, writes Adam Bate.

Whenever a game threatens to be decided by the away-goals rule, the complaints have become familiar. It’s a distortion of the contest. The game has been ruined. It’s a relic of a bygone age in which clubs had to be coaxed into playing an attacking game in faraway lands.

Liverpool’s Europa League tie with Borussia Dortmund was one such example. After the German side scored twice early on at Anfield, the rule was blamed for removing the opportunity of a comeback. That was all forgotten two hours and four Liverpool goals later.

Instead, it was that very rule that heightened the drama. Dejan Lovren’s header in stoppage time sent Dortmund out and Liverpool through to the semi-finals. Joy, despair, agony, ecstasy and a game flipped on its head with one nod of Lovren’s. Drama at its best.

Bayern Munich could not come up with such a moment in their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night …

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