Part of the unique appeal of two-legged European knock-out football has always been the dramatic way an away goal can suddenly shift the entire complexion of a tie.
Think Philippe Coutinho’s sublime disguised chip at Old Trafford which killed Manchester United’s hopes of a Europa League comeback stone dead during Jurgen Klopp’s first season and, conversely, Marcos Llorente's extra-time strike for Atletico Madrid during the infamous March 2020 Champions League last 16 knock-out tie which loosened Liverpool’s grip on club’s sixth European Cup won so memorably in Atleti’s own Wanda Metropolitano stadium nine months previously.
The concept of the away goal has become increasingly unpopular over the years however, with some feeling one of main founding principles of its introduction - the idea it would stop teams playing defensively away from home and reward those prepared to take the game to their hosts - has gone the other way, with a perception some sides now play more conservatively on their own ground (particularly in a first leg), seemingly being more concerned about not conceding than scoring themselves.
