Manchester City star Ellyn Harland spoke candidly about the potential impact of a tight schedule on a player's performance in a recent interview. He said that long matches and tight scheduling make it difficult for players to avoid fatigue, which often reveals itself during matches and affects players' performance.
Harland highlighted the tiredness of the players during the Europa League, observing that not only did the players look overwhelmed on the field, but even in their facial expressions, they were "tired" of soccer. He believes that this fatigue is still present this season, as many players may not have had enough rest time, and they have had to play several matches in a short period of time, which is a huge test both physically and mentally.
Harland expressed his views on how to stay in shape during the intensive fixtures. He admitted that it is difficult for the players to stay in top form in every game, but they will try to do so. He emphasized that it is indeed very difficult to stay sharp and competitive when you have to play more than 70 matches in a year. Therefore, the players need to work more closely with the team and those around them to face the challenges together and try to be the best they can be.
In addition, Harland shared his experience with rest and recovery. He said that this was his longest break since 2014, which gave him a chance to fully relax and recover his body. He now feels in great shape and is ready for the upcoming games. He confessed that in previous seasons he had also felt overwhelmed by overwork, but now he is in shape and ready to take on the long challenges of the season.
