| Wyrdness said: Except Madrid were more consistent as they scored in both legs, to me it points heavily to being salty, you know why this is an example of the rule working fine? Because it forced both teams to come out and work, once Atleti scored the game was on a knife's edge because the was no penalties or extra time so Bayern had to go full gear to score with out conceding while Atleti battled to keep them out. That's what the rule forces, you not liking doesn't mean it's not successfully doing what it was created to do. Rol basically highlighted why such rules in football exist, you talk about modern football but complain about a rule that came into being because of the progression of modern football. If you find games now boring they would be much more boring with out the rule as away teams would park the bus with no attempt to go forward as they bank on the home game, the rule adds an element of risk to not only help deal with the home advantage but to encourage the away team to perform outside of parking the bus. At the same time the home team knows they can't afford to mess up and be reckless even when they win so they have to perform as well, so in other words it forces strong performance over two legs as both teams get the chance to gain away goals. Do I think Atleti deserve to go through based on head to head performance over both legs? Yes, they performed at home and battled away from home better than Bayern did, like it or not over two legs they were more consistent so deserve to go through. |
You don't think Bayern was forced to more attacking gameplay simply because they were a goal down? Or that Atletico wasn't going to play more defensive and try to hit on counter without this rule? This is what football is about, outscoring your opponent and trying to keep a clean sheet. I'm not saying the rule is not successfully doing what it's created to do, I'm saying it's unnecessary and forces certain tactics. Also I know well why the rule was created, I just don't think playing away is as hard as it was back in 60s. And it's not like rules aren't changed over time.
As for Atletico, do I think they deserved to go through? Of course, the rules now are what they are. I also admire how they have mastered the art of defending and counter and play as a unit. Do I like that playstyle? Not really. They are capable of playing more direct, entertaining and attacking football though, their team is incredibly skilled.
Some goals being more valuable than others is something I think is not good for spirit of competition though, and I've thought this since I started watching football. They should at least try couple of years without the rule and see how it goes. I don't think it would PtB away and bank on home game as you say. Let's agree to disagree.
