Arsenal Coach Criticises Women’s CL Scheduling

Arsenal manager, Jonas Eidevall, says the current Women’s Champions League qualification format is a relic from the past that impacts injury risk.
The Gunners progressed to the second round with a 1-0 victory over Rosenborg in Saturday’s first-round final, having beaten Rangers 6-0 three days before.
English clubs are set to avoid the mini-league format next season when UEFA launches a single-league stage featuring 18 teams.
However, Eidevall is unhappy with scheduling, claiming the Women’s Super League (WSL) and UEFA have zero concerns over a lack of recovery time between games that are 72 hours apart.
“Now we’re through it, I can say it, it’s lucky an English team will not have to play in these mini tournaments again. For all the excitement, it is a relic from the past,” said Eidevall.
“This is just done from a budget perspective. That’s why they cram it in on Saturdays, to save another hotel night [by playing on a Sunday].
“All research around the world shows there’s a massive difference between 72 hours and 96 hours recovery after a game. That part, I just can’t get my head around.”
In the WSL, clubs choose their own kick-off times within the designated fixture window for each round and must approve broadcast selections.