UEFA was right about the Champions League.

UEFA has succeeded in making the Champions League more dramatic, with goalfests and many tense matches that go right to the final minute.

UEFA's decision to abolish the away goals rule has brought drama to matches.

The Champions League semi-final between Inter Milan and Barcelona, ​​with an aggregate score of 7-6 in favor of the Italian team after two legs, not only became one of the tournament's classic clashes, but it also proved the correctness of UEFA's decision to abolish the away goals rule.

A match that will go down in history.

Thirteen goals were scored in over 210 minutes of play between Inter Milan and Barcelona in the two semi-final matches of the 2024/25 Champions League. This is unusual in the history of the tournament, and many people are witnessing for the first time such a captivating knockout match in the Champions League.

In the first leg in Spain, the two teams drew 3-3 in an open game, with both sides not hesitating to attack. The return leg at Giuseppe Meazza continued the thrilling back-and-forth battle, with Inter leading 2-0 in the first half, allowing Barcelona to take a 3-2 lead, before Francesco Acerbi equalized 3-3, and Davide Frattesi sealed the 4-3 victory in extra time.

A total of 13 goals across two legs is a testament to the attacking style of play, unburdened by concerns about the value of away goals. Since the 2021/22 season, UEFA has abolished a decades-old rule that allowed away goals to determine the outcome of a tie on aggregate.

This decision, while initially controversial, is now clearly showing its effectiveness in enhancing competitiveness, encouraging attacking play, and delivering high-quality matches this season, such as the Inter 7-6 Barcelona clash, or earlier victories like PSG 5-4 Aston Villa, Barcelona 5-3 Borussia Dortmund, and Bayern Munich 3-4 Inter Milan.

In the past, the away goals rule was introduced to encourage teams to play offensively when playing away from home, and to make a difference in evenly matched games.

However, in reality, this rule often leads to negative defensive play, especially in the first leg away from home. Teams usually prioritize keeping a clean sheet over taking risks in attack, because conceding a goal at home can put them at a significant disadvantage.

This reduces the excitement of the matches, making many confrontations cautious and lacking in breakthroughs. Abolishing the away goals rule allows teams to play with a more relaxed mindset.

As many predicted, Inter Milan did not play defensively. In both legs, Simone Inzaghi's team boldly pushed their formation forward when needed and reaped the rewards.

Raphinha's (Barca) goal in the 87th minute seemed to seal the match, but Inter didn't give up. Francesco Acerbi, a 37-year-old center-back, unexpectedly scored the equalizer in injury time, before Frattesi sealed the victory in extra time. If the away goals rule had still been in effect, Inter might have played more cautiously in the first leg, avoiding conceding three goals, and the second leg wouldn't have reached such a dramatic climax.

A successful season

The away goals rule was once criticized for creating an unfair advantage. An away goal could change the outcome of an entire match. Removing this rule helps to equalize the chances for both teams, with the aggregate score becoming the sole criterion for determining the winner.

Inter and Barca created a highly emotional match.

In the case of Inter and Barcelona, ​​the aggregate score of 7-6 accurately reflects the balance and effort of both sides. Neither team benefited from the home or away advantage; victory went to the team that showed more character and efficiency during the 210 minutes of play.

It's worth remembering that since the knockout stage of the 2024/25 Champions League, the vast majority of matches have been high-scoring affairs. Only one knockout match this season ended 0-0. Furthermore, only 9% of the matches ended 1-0.

The number of knockout matches ending with at least five goals or more reached 53%, a record high in Champions League history. In the quarter-finals, all matches ended with at least six goals or more over two legs.

UEFA's decision to abolish the away goals rule not only changed the dynamics of individual matches but also reshaped how teams approach the Champions League.

Coaches like Simone Inzaghi are free to experiment with tactics, while players are encouraged to give their all regardless of where they are playing.

The Inter-Barcelona match is proof that big teams are willing to give their all to win, rather than just focusing on preserving their advantage. And the fans are the biggest beneficiaries. Matches become unpredictable, exciting, and full of emotion.

What Inter and Barcelona have just showcased will go down in the history of the tournament, representing the ideal image that UEFA aims for when reforming the rules. Football, ultimately, is still about serving the fans.

Source: https://znews.vn/uefa-da-dung-ve-champions-league-post1551529.html