English clubs are basically facing a Brazilian season alike
The football calendar is always an interesting topic of discussion and sometimes some European journalists and football writers advocate that the Brazilian football must adapt to the European one — like in Argentina. Nonetheless there are tons of reasons that underline the opposite view of the subject and this season may be the best one to argue about that.
For starters, whereas most of the European leagues have only two major domestic competitions alongside the continental ones; in Brazil, the league is played between the end of April (or early May) and the first half of December. In other words: 38 games played in (approximately) 30 weeks. However these weeks are shared with Copa Libertadores, Copa Sul-Americana and Copa do Brasil. Suddenly, what seemed fit in the puzzle, doesn’t seem like that anymore.
Chapter 1: regional competitions
During the first semester, Brazilian clubs play regional championships. The existence of these competitions has created debates over sports politics and even the whole season performances over the last years. But due to its historical importance and the regional federations political strength, they keep running normally.
To bigger clubs, regional championships are like consolation prize when the team struggle to grab (or fight for) any silverware in the season. Or even when they don’t get into a Libertadores spot in Brasileirão. It contributes to the club’s political theatre because they are played against the biggest rivals — and it works as a election propaganda, which is an important aspect.
Basically, the Estaduais (these competitions based on each Brazilian state) are composed by clubs that play in national divisions (first, second, third and fourth) and very small clubs. These championships occupy almost a whole semester and don’t offer big retribution to any major football club.
Another disclaimer: most of the Série D clubs — and below — are ‘four to six months club’. Which means: they only ‘exist’ in terms of football in this periods. They flert with semi-professional sport aspects.
Chapter 2: English scenario
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the English calendar has suffered many games postponed — accumulating matches yet to be played. And the most vocal antagonist against this shambolic scheduling — Tottenham’s manager José Mourinho — has fired against the FA since the beginning of the season.
In the first weeks, Tottenham played four matches in one week: one for Europa League, one for EFL Cup and two for Premier League. And when they should have been preparing themselves for the match against Fulham — that was going to be played two hours later — they received the news: another game postponed due to multiple COVID cases in the London side.
This chaotic scenario deteriorates good match preparation (because of the short time) and physical aspects of all individuals — due to weathering of many matches in brief period. When everything is listed down on a sheet of paper, the result is similar to a regular season in Brazil. Yes, it may seem exaggerated, nonetheless it is not.
Chapter 3: results
Premier League managers have complained about fatigue, multiple matches in brief periods plus injuries that won’t be healed in time for important clashes.
This is just like another day in Brazil.
In 2013, the world-class midfielder and former Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and FC Bayern player Zé Roberto suffered his first muscular injury. At that time, he was 37 years-old and played for Grêmio, obviously he was riled and declared:
It makes you want to tear up the whole calendar, it damages a lot our performance. It’s clear that the calendar doesn’t favor us at all. (…) I’d played many years in Europe and this is the first muscular injury of my entire career, there is no player in the world to play in this condition, the calendar is bad for Brazilian football.
Needless to say, Brazil is a continental-sized country. The distance travelled by any side during the season overcome any European club. In other words, long travels mean more wearing and huge weather differences between one match and the other.
While the South is known for its cold weather in the autumn and in the winter, the Northeast is known for “summer all year”. So if a team goes to Curitiba on Wednesday and plays in Recife on Sunday, they will probably face something circa 15ºC variation (e. g.: from 18ºC to 32ºC).
Final whistle
Truth be told, football competitions should be treated as a raw diamond. If people want improvement and evolution, they need to advocate for more training weeks and better working conditions.
Whether European clubs are having problems, imagine Brazilians. In the end of 2020 seaon (which means early May), Palmeiras will have played 79 matches. Pundits are often criticizing the club because their huge investiment and oscillation; however, which club would cope with this number of fixtures?
Without a proper calendar — one that privileges the athletes and managers well-being and hard work — the whole sport will suffer from all of the problems mentioned in press conferences and club’s press releases.
