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🥵 Pitch burnout | European preview | PSR talks
GM football fans. Route One here, we’re like a carton of Ribena straight after PE - you just can’t get enough.
All feedback read at [email protected].
Head Start
The dangers of being too good
Burnout (noun); physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress.
We all need a rest. And, yesterday, Manchester City midfielder Rodri admitted that he’s feeling burnt out and we can see why…
He’s only missed four games this season (and City lost them all).
He’s played 4,015 minutes for club and country.
Ah. A classic case of victim-of-your-own-success.
You’re just too good, ey?… Too vital to a treble-winning side. Woe is you.
Jokes aside, this isn’t new. After Patrick Viera said that he “hurts everywhere” 20 years ago, Fifa’s medical chief suggested limiting how many times anyone should play across a season.
UEFA even scrapped the Champions League second group stage after it was linked to injuries during the 2002 World Cup.
But, nothing has changed since. The modern fixture schedule is more gruelling than ever…
The PFA reckons elite players could play up to 86 games next season.
Jude Bellingham has played 30% more minutes than Wayne Rooney at 20.
Kylian Mbappé has played 48% more minutes than Thierry Henry at 24.
Don’t forget that there has been an increase in match times recently…
I say we get them pizza on Tuesdays and let them dress down on Fridays… isn’t that how all the best companies deal with burnout?
Plus…
Chelsea gets a Stamford Bridge redevelopment boost after purchasing land near their stadium (More)
Leeds and Northern Ireland midfielder Stuart Dallas has retired aged 32 after two years out with injury (More)
Prospective Everton owners 777 could complete the takeover late next month but they’ve asked for a time extension (More)
Benfica have cancelled all Marseille fans’ tickets after being informed that French authorities have banned Benfica fans from attending their match tonight (More)
Europa League & Europa Conference Preview
Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham (Europa League, Today, 20:00 BST - TNT Sports)
→ Bayer Leverkusen have 36 wins and five draws in a 41-game undefeated streak. This is the joint eighth unbeaten run in European history.
→ This will be the first time Bayer and West Ham face each other although the Hammers have experience against German sides, having played Freiburg four times in Europe this season.
→ Moyes’ side have managed just two wins from four away games in Europe this season.
Liverpool vs Atalanta (Europa League, Today, 20:00 BST - TNT Sports)
→ The two previous European meetings between Liverpool and Atalanta were in the 2020-21 Champions League group stage, both away wins - 5-0 to Liverpool and 2-0 to Atalanta.
→ Liverpool have scored 28 goals in eight Europa League matches this season.
→ Atalanta’s last Europa League match against an English opponent was a 5-1 thrashing of Everton at Goodison Park.
Aston Villa vs Lille (Europa Conference League, Today, 20:00 BST - TNT Sports)
→ Aston Villa are rated as favourites to win the Europa Conference League.
→ Lille are fourth in Ligue 1 and haven’t lost in any competition since February but…
→ … are winless in seven previous major European matches in England, losing six times and scoring just one goal.
Last night’s Champions League results…
→ Atlético Madrid 2 - 1 Dortmund (Highlights)
→ PSG 2 - 3 Barcelona (Highlights)
Bitesize Prem Updates
Fresh talks over spending rules
Today, Premier League clubs will meet to discuss proposed changes to the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Why? Well, Everton’s point deduction this week has reignited controversy.
But the league is only worried about one thing… the thought of Everton’s second appeal not being resolved until the season has finished.
Picture this… Everton’s appeal is successful and it changes who’s relegated. Just like when the Oscars wrongly announced La La Land for best picture… embarrassing, confusing and damn-right unfair.
The meeting today will be the first step in avoiding awkward finales like Everton’s in future.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock… get a move on guys.
Be warned… schedules have changed
If it wasn’t tense enough, the Premier League has rescheduled fixtures, setting up three pivotal days in the title race.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have all had fixtures rescheduled, leaving the trio’s penultimate games looking like this…
Sunday, May 12 - Manchester United vs Arsenal
Monday, May 13 - Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Tuesday, May 14 - Tottenham vs Manchester City
For the keen-eyed, yup, all three opponents will probably have European football to fight for. So don’t expect them to go down without a fight.
Put it this way… whoever wins this year’s title has really earned it.
Off The Pitch
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak apologises for wearing Adidas Samba trainers (More)
The Masters’ tee times for rounds one and two can be found (Here)
59-year-old woman breaks world record for planking (More)
The Joker 2 trailer has been released featuring Lady Gaga (Watch)
Game of Thrones spin-off show has been cancelled (More)
Joseph Parker continues hilarious call-out videos, now with Anthony Joshua (More)
Athletics will become the first sport to introduce prize money ($50,000) at the Olympics this summer (More)
Extra Time
The Championship title race broken down in numbers.
Arsenal fans tease Harry Kane with “Granit Xhaka is top of the league” chant.
Why football stats are like… bikinis.
Did Micah Richards and Josko Gvardiol just become best friends?
The strangest half-time team talks are told on The Rest Is Football.
Pete Sibley is the football sketcher who created Mole Palmer and Peter Couch.
*Yesterday’s link was broken: Former Liverpool and Spurs midfielder Danny Murphy opens up about why he hated Rafa Benitez.
Game Face On
Question: Which player has made the most appearances as a substitute in Premier League history?
Hint: Look up.
Scroll below for the answer.
On Today
FOOTBALL
Europa League: AC Milan vs Roma (20:00 BST, TNT Sports)
Europa League: Liverpool vs Atalanta (20:00 BST, TNT Sports)
Europa League: Bayer Leverkusen vs West Ham United (20:00 BST, TNT Sports)
Europa Conference League: Benfica vs Marseille (20:00 BST, TNT Sports)
Europa Conference League: Club Brugge vs PAOK (20:00 BST, TNT Sports)
GOLF
PGA: Masters (14:00 BST, Sky Sports)
TENNIS
ATP: Monte Carlo Master (10:00 BST, Sky Sports)
*EST -5. PST -8. CET +1. CST +8. JST +9.
Answer: Peter Crouch with 142 appearances as a substitute
“If he doesn’t score, he’s quite useless.”
-Rafael van der Vaart on Erling Haaland