When one counts two!

In basic arithmetic, one is always one. But in the game of football one sometimes counts two, making a mockery of what is learnt at school.

In case teams are still level at the end of two-legged knock-out matches, the tie-breaker is decided by declaring that, at least, one of the away goals to count double.

The idea was introduced more than 40 years ago and was intended to encourage teams playing away from home to be more aggressive. This is a fallacy.

Defensive tactics are also part of the game even if referred differently by the media.

There was a time when continuous mention was made of boring catenaccio, a synonym of Italian football but which incidentally originated in Switzerland in the early 1930s by an Austrian mentor (Karl Rappan). It was then polished and practised efficiently in post war Italian football... and other countries, too.

Different mentors in different countries plan their game according to circumstances and they will most certainly indulge in a defensive approach if they think that this will be the best manner to achieve what they are aiming at.

Thus, careful planning, whether based on containing attacking or defending, is international and knows no colour or creed.

Lately, biased commentators and analysts changed their tune. Totally defensive tactics were referred to as 'a high level and formidable intelligent set-up, formed of an unbreakable wall which even the most-gifted attackers find nigh impossible to pierce'.

This attitude flatters defensive tactics and goes totally against the idea of encouraging aggressive football by the side playing away, especially if it is the first match.

Strangely enough, the 'away goal rule' is still applied in different competitions including those connected with the knock-out stages of the Champions League.

How should such matches on two-legged fixtures be decided if, at the end of two meetings, the aggregate score is even? The 'away goal rule' may be one of them... but not the most logical.

Football should not be compared with articles on special offers which are found in supermarkets when on special occasions one pays for one and gets two of whatever!