Thierry Henry Takes Issue With Major Champions League Rule Change After Barcelona Draw
- Thierry Henry is baffled that the Champions League away goals rule was scrapped after Inter Milan drew 3-3 away at Barcelona
- A goalless draw in the second leg would send Inter Milan under the previous rules, but they need to avoid defeat
- The Champions League saw wild encounters with the away goals rule, resulting in heartbreak and delirium
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry appeared to find fault with the away goals rule in the Champions League after Inter Milan drew 3-3 away with Barcelona in the first leg of the semi-final.
Source: Getty Images
How Barcelona vs Inter Milan unfolded
Inter Milan scored three goals away from home in the first leg against Barcelona, but they won't get an advantage. The Nerazzurri went 2-0 up after 21 minutes but failed to slow down a relentless Barcelona attack.
Simone Inzaghi's side struggled to contain Lamine Yamal, who pulled one back in the 24th minute before Ferran Torres added a second in the 38th minute.
Inter took a 3-2 lead through Denzel Dumfries, who scored his second goal. The lead didn't last, though, as goalkeeper Yann Sommer scored an own goal after Raphinha's long-range strike hit the bar.
Sommer made crucial saves to help Inter avoid a defeat. However, they must now avoid defeat at home in the second leg.
Thierry Henry's issue with away goals
The former Arsenal striker was not happy that Inter Milan's three away goals did not carry any advantage.
"It's been like that for a very long time and we have to accept it but off-air I was talking to Jamie and I'm like 'How can you score three goals away from home and you don't have an advantage?'" Henry said on CBS Sports.
"Away goals for me were massive," the Arsenal legend said. "[But to] score three goals away and you still don't have an advantage, I mean, [you would need] a 0-0 at home.
If the two sides draw, they will need to go to penalties to decide who advances to the final.
Source: Getty Images
When was the Champions League away goals rule scrapped?
The away goals rule was scrapped in June 2021, per BBC Sport. If Inter Milan and Barcelona's second leg ends in a 0-0 draw, they will go to penalties.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said the away goals rule discouraged home teams from attacking, especially in the first legs.
"The impact of the rule now runs counter to its original purpose as, in fact, it now dissuades home teams – especially in first legs – from attacking, because they fear conceding a goal that would give their opponents a crucial advantage. There is also criticism of the unfairness, especially in extra time, of obliging the home team to score twice when the away team has scored."
In the last few seasons, teams have suffered painful defeats through away goals. For instance, Man United's clash with PSG in 2021, Manchester City's match against Tottenham Hotspur in 2019, and Barcelona's clash with Chelsea in 2009.
Supercomputer predicts Champions League winner
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Opta's supercomputer predicted the 2025 Champions League winner after Barcelona's epic encounter with Inter Milan.
Paris Saint-Germain, who have a 1-0 advantage from the first leg against Arsenal, are the leading favourites with a 41.9% chance.
Barcelona are the second favourites, followed by Inter Milan and Premier League side Arsenal.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
