The ongoing discussions regarding future structural changes to the game, such as the introduction of new tournaments (eg. Fifa Club World Cup), further intensify this challenge. These changes have the potential to significantly reduce the downtime available to elite players, affecting their recovery and overall well-being.
It is decisive when you are 1-0 up and then concede a penalty and then have one player less. The foul was outside the box and the foul should be given where it starts, not where it ends.
Are soccer's major competitions bloated? Probably. Is the sport's calendar bursting at the seams? Absolutely. And do these extended competitions give us even more stories to follow and offer more clubs access to moments they'll talk about forever? Absolutely. Over the next two weeks, 16 teams will vie for the eight remaining spots in the Champions League round of 16. Clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Inter Milan will look to right their league phase wrongs.
To be honest, I think it's important for the team's confidence to win and take the three points, but I'm not sure it's the best thing, because if we qualify in the top eight, we won't play in the play-offs," Luis Enrique said ahead of meeting Sporting CP on Tuesday. "And we'll already be missing the Coupe de France matches. But it's certain that the objective is to win and finish in the top eight teams, even if I'm not sure that's the best thing. It's contradictory.
For many years, the Serie A schedule has been a hot topic among calcio faithfuls. Between an increasingly packed season and a willingness to increase the league's visibility, there have inevitably been some clashes. Player health doesn't seem to be on top of the agenda, let's put it that way, but it's also clear that the Lega Serie A have a more difficult job than ever.
"I think I see a lot of similarities to first head coach job [at Brondby]," he said. "Although different scale. "This is one of the biggest clubs in the world, so makes it a bigger and different challenge."
The crunch Christmas period is upon us. Gameweeks 18-21 will bring four deadlines in 11 days between 26 December and 6 January. Expect heavy rotation, injuries, suspensions and continued absences due to the Africa Cup of Nations. There is nothing to panic about though. This is the time that FPL managers who plan well, stay engaged with their teams and don't miss deadlines often gain in ranks and mini-leagues.
Crystal Palace's injury woes continue to mount up as they make their way through a hugely congested run of fixtures, with Manchester City's visit to Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon next on the agenda. Oliver Glasner's side have nonetheless remained in excellent form and last weekend climbed to fourth in the Premier League table thanks to their victory away to Fulham.
Wilfried Nancy has finally arrived at Celtic, with promises of "exciting, attacking, winning football". But before principles come priorities. Martin O'Neill leaves having closed the eight-point deficit with Heart of Heart of Midlothian, so the Frenchman can begin his Celtic Park tenure by taking his new side to the top of the Scottish Premiership with victory over the faltering early leaders on Sunday.
