Playing away in the second leg

RP · April 22, 2008

I have managed to convince myself that the fact we are away in the 2nd leg this year gives us no chance of progressing.

But, looking at the knock-out stages this year and last, it seems that it is not that much of a disadvantage - in 24 ties, 9 teams who were at home first progressed and 15 teams (this ratio distorted hugely by the 4 out of 4 in this years QFs) who were away first got through to the next round. Looking at the scorelines achieved in the first legs by the teams that eventually progressed doesn't give many clues either as to what is required tonight:

Home scores first:

0-0

1-0

1-0 (eventually won on pens)

2-0

2-1

1-1

2-2

3-2 (eventually won on pens)

Scoring at home appears to be key - not conceding at home also quite important. In summary, these stats tell us f*** all.

Never has a team not progressed if they have taken a 10-0 lead into the away second leg - I guess that has to be the target.

Dan · April 22, 2008