Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez stated on Friday that many players’ travel and injury concerns might be resolved by rearranging the schedule to include a single international break.
Prior to the team’s return from the international break at Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, Barcelona’s keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered an injury last week while training with Germany, and midfielder Gavi of Spain tore a ligament while playing for his country.
Xavi told reporters that a heavy schedule of club and national team matches has resulted in numerous ailments.
“I think FIFA are already considering it… one of the solutions would be nine months in the club and two months in the national team and from there a month of vacation,” he stated.
In this manner, a certain number of trips would be prevented. For instance, Ronald Araujo, a defender for Uruguay, and Raphinha, a striker for Brazil, both experienced 13- or 14-hour travels. They returned yesterday and did not take a break.
“And this is the way all the teams are, not (just) us,” he continued.
Xavi mentioned that one reason for the injury to 19-year-old Gavi was his packed schedule.
“Many coaches have said the calendar is very demanding and in this sense I think that is the main reason of Gavi’s injury, other than misfortune … breaking your cruciate ligament is often just a matter of bad luck.”
Barcelona, which is now in third place after 13 games, is trying to get closer to leaders Girona by winning two straight league games for the first time since September.