England's head coach Thomas Tuchel has expressed concerns over the Nations League format ahead of their clash with the Czech Republic.
Tuchel pointed out that the grueling schedule, coupled with frequent travel and only two days of rest between matches, increases the strain on players, posing serious health risks.
He remarked that the current format places additional challenges on national teams.
«I find this format even more complicated. There are many flights and just two matches with only two days of rest in between. The travel and changing fields present extra difficulties,» he said.
According to Tuchel, players also face the challenge of quickly adjusting between the demands of club and international football.
«The shifts in training, work style, and play style between the national team and club inherently create certain risks. This format only heightens those risks rather than alleviating them,» he explained.
After their last game, the coaching staff dedicated specific time to ensure players could recuperate adequately.
Tuchel noted that the squad returned home following their domestic fixture, with training at Wembley being primarily conducted by those who had not featured in the previous match.
«We needed to give them a recovery day without football boots, which we did on Sunday morning,» Tuchel added.
The team then regrouped, with starting players from the last match partaking in a lighter training session while the others received a more intense workout.
Tuchel highlighted how unusual the preparation process becomes with such a hectic schedule.
«Then it's back on the bus and onto a plane, followed by a press conference. Tomorrow we need to be ready again. A lot of training ends up happening in the meeting room,» he remarked.
Despite the packed schedule, Tuchel stated that the players are ready to take to the pitch.
«I feel that all the players are ready to play. We will always prioritise the health of our footballers,» he declared.
England will face the Czech Republic today in the Nations League.
