Football fans were salivating after the match-ups were announced for the UEFA Champions League knockout phase.
There were two absolute marquee ties which stood out – Manchester City against Barcelona and Arsenal against Bayern Munich.
The Premier League’s top two sides for much of this season were given an opportunity to face the two most highly credentialed club sides in the world.
Unfortunately, these ties were compromised by a rule that authorities have indicated they planned to change.
After the first leg, the result of both ties is all but settled.
In fact, the two remarkably similar matches were effectively decided by one of football’s most controversial talking points – the so-called triple jeopardy of a red card, penalty and three-game suspension.
All of these for the one foul that denies a clear goal-scoring opportunity in the penalty area!
Both games were evenly poised before their respective triple jeopardy incidents…
A tactically savvy Manchester City had the upper hand, having weathered Barcelona’s early storm.
They appeared less savvy early in the second half for playing the ageing Martin Demichelis, who took down the lightning fast Lionel Messi as he tore in on goal.
Red card and penalty! Barcelona set up camp in the Manchester City half of the pitch for the remaining 40 minutes, and scored a late sucker-punch second goal against their tiring opponents.
The vivid contest turned into a lifeless procession. 2-0 for Barcelona, away from home.
Arsenal got off to a flying start, but will regret not converting their early opportunities. Wojciech Szczesny fouled the cunning Arjen Robben as he touched the ball past Arsenal’s lunging goalkeeper late in the first half.
Red card and penalty! Incidentally, David Alaba missed the penalty for Bayern Munich.
Despite the miss, the writing was on the wall. Arsenal had just 12% possession in the second half.
As Arsenal tried to absorb the pressure, Bayern Munich also scored a late sucker punch.
A blunt Arsene Wenger echoed the thoughts of the many disappointed football fans who tuned in, “The second half was boring.” 2-0 for Bayern Munich, away from home.
The triple jeopardy punishment really doesn’t match the crime. It is cruel, most of all, to the fans who so enthusiastically await these marquee occasions.
The intention of the rule is clearly to deter defenders from killing fluid attacking play.
Unfortunately, it is the rule that kills fluid play. Had both games remained as 11 against 11, second half showdowns featuring Manchester City and Arsenal in all out attack mode would have made for compulsive entertainment.
A change to the rule is on the agenda for the powers that be.
UEFA President, Michel Platini, is as blunt as Wenger in his assessment.
Platini described the existing rule as, “stupid.” A potential rule change is on the agenda at this weekend’s International Board (IFAB) meeting in Switzerland that is being chaired by FIFA President, Sepp Blatter.
Football fans will be eagerly awaiting the result ahead of the World Cup in June. Clearly, Platini agrees that a yellow card and penalty is punishment enough.
Gazmon
Guest
The subsequent bans are more of the issue for me than the red card/penalty itself. If a player is sent off because he denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity then the opposition really do deserve to score (whether that be from a penalty, or eventuality of having less players). If a defender is careless enough to bring down a player and give away a penalty and put himself in danger of conceding a caution or send off then he has only himself to blame. Yes, of course, there are incidents where the attacking player has feigned injury and/or contact to win the foul (that's another issue entirely) but they, in reality, are not as common as the media would suggest; just run the numbers. The EPL sides, or the English media more to the point, like to focus on anything but their style of play and tactical decisions for deciding the match: "It was the referee," "it was the schedule," or "too many players suspended." I am massive fan of the EPL and the English game, but at times they are too full of their own self importance and hide behind the curtain of the mega bucks from TV deals. Yes, big money brings in big players, they may have the most competitive league to some, but the best sides themselves at the moment are German or Spanish, at least on the European stage. Oh, and by the way, they are 'laws' not 'rules'. Sorry, can't help but correct people when they have it wrong. A rule is set by an individual, whereas a law is set out by a controlling or governing body (i.e. FIFA).
clayts
Guest
PS. While it may have "ruined the game" (for mostly fans of City or Arsenal), there have been plenty of excellent games where 10 men have been involved. We need not look any further than the A League for that. What about when Melbourne Heart went down to 10? And that wasn't even denying a goal scoring opportunity. They promptly went down a goal, but regrouped and fought like champions to eventually come out on top. Much more memorable as a result too. Denying a clear goal scoring opportunity is worthy of a red, IMO, as a deterrent.
clayts
Guest
I really don't understand the way these managers have come out and blamed the rule/ref. In both cases it was a clear penalty and a clear red card. If it had been the other way and a red not given, you can imagine the managers of these pompous english sides going feral (and the meida would jump on board too, pandering to the masses). It was the fault of the players. You can't take someone down, recklessly and deny a clear goal scoring opportunity without being sent from the field and, if it is inside the penalty area, without giving away a penalty.This rule wasn't introduced yesterday. The players know this rule. The 3 weeks on top is a bit harsh and something they could look at but again, everyone knows this rule. Don't get sent off.