PLAY-OFFS AT THEIR FINEST!

MANCHESTER City’s 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu was intriguing, but never exciting.

- Chris DUNLAVY

First legs rarely are. Like the opening round of a boxing match, there are jabs and feints and the odd stiff right to raise a cheer. Mainly, though, the objective is to probe for weakness, gauge an opponent’s power and – above all – avoid a sucker punch.

But where’s the fun in that? Supporters want a slugfest, not a game of chess. Blood, thunder, agony and ecstasy.

In Europe, first legs are a necessary evil. Home advantage is just too important. But in domestic play-offs they are worse than pointless, serving to cheat the paying public of an exciting spectacle and the higher-placed side of a meaningful advantage.

It’s why the Non-League pyramid sets the standard when it comes to play-offs, and why the EFL should ditch their unfair and outdated two-legged format.

Notts County’s 3-2 win over Boreham Wood in the National League semi-finals had everything. An underdog threatening an upset. A 97th-minute equaliser. An extra-time winner with the last, spectacular kick of the game.

In the other semi, Bromley levelled in the ninth minute of stoppage time before Liam Mandeville’s extra-time strike sent Chesterfield to Wembley.