The Champions League started in a new, expanded form, in the first matches Juventus was safe against PSV 3:1 in Turin (Vasilije Adžić remained on the bench), while Aston Villa was strong in Switzerland (3:0). Liverpool overcame Milan (3:1) in the classic after a turnaround, Bayern outclassed Dinamo Zagreb (9:2), Real started defending the cup with a victory over Stuttgart (3:1), while Sporting in Lisbon was better than Lille ( 2:0).
Fans, football lovers, are curious to see what the new format will look like, with a single, bulky table of 36 teams, a larger number of matches, eight autumn and winter rounds, instead of the previous six, with one additional round in the knockout phase for a certain number of teams.
And while profits from TV rights, marketing and tickets are growing, the players raised their voices! And not just any, but the elite...
- I think we are close to a strike - said the Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
When one of the best players of one of the best teams, the European champion with Spain and the MVP of EURO 2024, played last summer in Germany, says that, it is clear that the matter is serious.
The expanded format of the Champions League and the FIFA World Cup, which will be played next summer and in which as many as 32 teams will participate, have brought such an increase in the number of matches that the elite footballers can no longer remain silent.
- Sometimes no one asks the players what they think about the additional number of games. Maybe our opinion doesn't count, but everyone knows what we think about having more games. Everyone has had enough - said the Liverpool goalkeeper Alison Becker, who last night defended for "redse" against Milan at San Siro.
The optimal number of matches in a season in which a player can perform at the highest level is between 40 and 50, said Rodri.
- After that you fall, because it is impossible to maintain your physical level. And this season we are going up to 70, maybe up to 80 games, it depends on how far we go in the competitions - said the Spaniard.
The union of professional football players (FIFPro) has long been calling for the protection of players, whose opinion is not taken into account at all.
- This is a general opinion among football players, not just mine. If this continues, we will have no choice but to strike - said Rordi before tonight's match with Inter.
His teammate, Manuel Akanji, joked that he might have to retire at 30 because of his busy schedule.
- This season has just started, and we are already thinking about the next one. Let's say we win the league or the cup, then we go to the final of the World Club Championship. The Community Shield is just three weeks after that. So when are we going to rest?
Rodri cited the example of Erling Haaland - he plays great at the beginning of the season because he had the chance to rest this summer, his Norway did not play the European Championship.
- We have to take care of ourselves. We are the main characters of this sport, and football is not just about money and marketing. If people want to see better football, we need to rest. In other words, if the number of matches increases, the level and quality decrease - pointed out Rodri.
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