Ahead of the new-look Champions League format kicking off this season, there have been renewed discussions about the marked increase of matches being played. The new format of the Champions League will see adjustments to the group stage, where there is one large table of 32, with the top 24 teams (and 9th-24th finishers playing in qualifier rounds) advancing to the knockout stage. This is a change from the previous format of groups of 4, where each team plays each other twice (one home, one away), with the top two advancing to the knockout rounds.
For the clubs, it means they will play two more Champions League matches compared to last season.
The increased volume of games comes at a time where many managers and players have already come forward to express their concern about increase. Now, it appears to be heading toward a breaking point.
The latest player to come forward is EURO 2024 Player of the Tournament and Balon d’Or nominee Rodri.
Ahead of Manchester City’s opening Champions League match against Inter Milan, Rodri was asked his opinion about the new format during a press conference.
“In my humble opinion, I think it is too much,” he said. “We have to take care of ourselves. Someone has to take care of ourselves because we are the main characters of, let’s say, this sport or this business. Not everything is money or marketing.
“It is also the quality of the show. In my opinion, when I rest, when I’m not tired, I perform better. If people want to see better football, we need to rest.”
When asked if he thinks the players might strike, he replied “I think we are close to that. It’s easy to understand. You ask any player, he will say the same — it’s not the opinion of Rodri or whoever. I think it’s a general opinion of the players.
If it keeps this way, it will be a moment when we have no other option, I really think. It’s something that worries us because we are the guys who suffer.”
Rodri pointed to the example of Erling Haaland, whose blazing start to the season could perhaps be attributed to the fact he had the entire summer off due to Norway’s failure to qualify for the EURO 2024 tournament.
“It gives you a clue why we ask for this,” Rodri said.
Although Rodri is hardly the only figure to speak out about this, it is the first time the suggestion of a strike has been mentioned, signaling a potential escalation.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who is considered one of the greatest players in his position, has expressed similar sentiments. Ahead of Liverpool’s opener against AC Milan, Alisson begged for “players to be listened to,” during his press conference.
“For us players, it is good that you are going to play against the best in Europe. But it is always a good idea to add some games to the calendar that is not busy… I am being a little bit ironic! Sometimes nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games,” said Alisson.
“Maybe our opinion doesn’t matter, but everybody knows what we think about having more games. Everybody’s tired of that.”
“It is a matter of sitting down all together and listening to all the parties. We have the media and TV, UEFA and FIFA, Premier League, domestic competitions.
“So many players have spoken already about it, we just need to be listened to,” he added. “If you are tired you cannot compete at a high level. What I want is to give my best in all the games I play.”
In recent years, the English Premier League has authorized changes to help alleviate the increased workload, including increasing the allowed substitutes to five (up from three). Whether or not this has any substantial impact on the reduction of injuries or fatigue remains to be seen, although the fact remains that there appears to be a breaking point being reached.
