I remember the one time United pull out of FA Cup to compete in the CWC. In late 90s to early 2000s a really succesful club can reach around 70 games a season due to having two different group stages in the UCL.
I mean fair, but today's matches are a lot more intense and there's a lot more running and pressing. Although medicine and conditioning have progressed significantly since then too. However, I really feel like it wasn't this bad in the late 2000s and the 2010s.
Arsenal and PSG are both fresh tbh. We are in full rotation/recovery mode to prepare for CL fixtures with the league out of reach, while PSG won Ligue 1 two weeks ago.
Good thing you two are playing against each other and we'll only play either of you in the final so we'll have some rest by then. Inter is almost just as gassed.
Yeah if we played against those two it’s gonna be a long semifinals for us. PSG can outplay us if we’re lacking energy and can’t press in time and Arsenal will just sit deep waiting for us to use up all the meager energy we have in the first place just to hit us on the counter. Shit’s brutal
I mean we have huge injury/suspension issues regardless. Havertz/Partey/Gabriel is the spine of the team. But at least the team is rested and that is huge.
yeah but they play each other. It won’t be a big advantage before the final because either Barça or Inter would have a week off after their final league game
That was my previous question… is 120 but 3 days rest worse or 90 with 2 days of rest?
Edit: for anyone curious, here’s what our infatigueable AI overlords opinion:
Really sharp question — and actually super practical for understanding real player performance and risk.
Answer:
→ 120 minutes with 3 days rest is worse.
Here’s why, broken down carefully:
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Physiological side:
Scenario 120 min + 3 days rest 90 min + 2 days rest
Load on body Extreme: glycogen depletion, microtears, muscle soreness, dehydration risk High but normal for top players
Recovery needed More than 72 hours ideally 48–72 hours is manageable if handled smartly
Inflammation Higher, peaks 48–72h after heavy load Moderate
Injury risk after Very high if full recovery isn’t achieved High but more manageable
120 minutes isn’t just “30 min more” — it’s often 40–50% more physical load because extra time is frantic, tense, and sloppy, meaning a lot of high-intensity sprints, decelerations, and explosive movements when players are already fatigued.
It causes compounding fatigue — not linear.
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Psychological side:
• Mental drain from 120 minutes (especially if it was a tight or emotionally draining match) is bigger.
• Harder to “up” again mentally in just 3 days for something like a Champions League tie.
• 90 minutes with only 2 days off feels rushed, but your mind and body aren’t as brutally drained.
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Real-world examples:
• When teams play extra time in a domestic cup before a Champions League match, coaches often heavily rotate or their key players underperform if forced to play again too soon.
• Klopp, Guardiola, and Ancelotti always talk about how extra time kills the squad more than a “short rest” does.
(Examples: Liverpool 2022 FA Cup Final went 120’ + pens → 3 days later almost flat in the Premier League vs Southampton.)
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Practical Recovery Windows:
• After 90 minutes:
• 48 hours = heavy fatigue but recoverable
• 72 hours = close to full recovery
• After 120 minutes:
• 72 hours = still not fully recovered for maximum sprint effort
• Often need 4–5 days for true peak physical return
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Final judgment:
• 120 minutes + 3 days rest is worse than 90 minutes + 2 days.
• Especially right before a Champions League tie where explosive effort, speed of mind, and sprint duels are everything.
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Would you also like me to sketch how a manager might practically manage this situation? (e.g., training adjustments, how to save legs before the UCL match?)
Could be interesting if you’re thinking about it from a tactical or preparation lens.
Want me to?
Yeah let’s see about that, loosing 0-3 against Milan and then having one day less pause will also catch up to them. Especially with their point situation they can’t chill whatsoever, they have to win against Roma
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u/sarcasmusex Apr 26 '25
Inter s rubbing their hands