Clubs adapt game formats to manage player fitness and morale ahead of new season
Category: Sports
For nearly 150 years, regulation football matches have been defined by a standard duration of 90 minutes. Yet, as the 2026 pre-season approaches its climax, many Premier League teams are experimenting with alternative match lengths. Liverpool, for example, is set to play a total of 180 minutes against Serie A side Como in two games on Sunday, August 16, 2026, one behind closed doors at their training ground at noon, the other at Anfield at 6 p.m. local time.
This trend of shorter matches has been observed across various clubs, including Leeds United and RB Leipzig, who recently competed in a 120-minute friendly split into two 60-minute halves. Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace have also participated in tournaments featuring 45-minute matches. Meanwhile, a non-League tournament known as the A23 Cup was scheduled for July 2026, consisting of 45-minute games, but reverted to traditional 90-minute matches when Marlow Town could not field a side.
As the regular competitive 90-minute games loom for English clubs, these unusual formats may seem gimmicky. Yet, they serve a purpose. The rationale behind these adaptations lies in managing player fitness and maintaining squad morale during pre-season preparations.
Pre-season matches lasting 90 minutes often present challenges. Players typically return from summer breaks with a baseline level of fitness, bolstered by light training during their holidays. Clubs aim to start pre-season with high-intensity, low-volume sessions, gradually increasing players' stamina as they prepare for the season ahead. Glen Driscoll, a former performance analyst at Liverpool, explains that achieving rounded squad fitness within a standard 90-minute game can be problematic.
"Traditionally, it’s always been a challenge to achieve rounded squad fitness within the normal 90-minute game of pre-season," Driscoll said. Managers tend to prioritize the starting XI as pre-season progresses, leaving other squad members needing to replicate the physical work they miss out on. This creates a divide between the players being prepared to start and those who are not receiving sufficient game time.
Driscoll also shows the value of building morale within the squad during pre-season. "You don’t want half the squad already feeling like they’ve been identified as the non-starters," he added. As teams shift from building fitness to replicating the demands of competitive football, they aim to provide as many players as possible with valuable experience.
In-season, clubs in the English Football League (EFL) and top-flight sides in continental Europe expect players to cover an average of around 30 kilometers (approximately 19 miles) in matches each week, whether in first-team fixtures or training games. To achieve these levels, pre-season work must be structured effectively. Anton McElhone, head of medical and performance at League One side Huddersfield Town, noted that few friendlies are played early in pre-season due to high intensity.
"In the first four weeks, we would expect players to be covering around that mark, with some clubs pushing toward 40 kilometers," McElhone said. The distance players cover during training sessions varies, with McElhone recommending that players start by covering 30-35 kilometers in the first week, excluding any intra-squad games or friendlies.
As the pre-season progresses, the physical demands increase. The target distance remains at 30-35 kilometers in the second week, but players should participate in 45 minutes of action under match conditions, which accounts for roughly five to six kilometers. By the third week, the expectation rises to 60 minutes, followed by a target of 75 minutes by the fourth week. "It’s all in the numbers," McElhone stated, emphasizing the importance of gradually increasing intensity.
Shortened matches can help clubs manage player workloads more effectively. Alan McCall, a performance consultant, pointed out that clubs often have limited time to prepare for the season and must find ways to balance player progression and load. In mid-July, EFL clubs Leicester and Bristol Rovers played a 120-minute match divided into four 30-minute halves, allowing both teams to rotate players and provide equal game time.
"If you were following a textbook, you would start with shorter halves and progress gradually—like 25-minute halves, then 35, up to 45," McCall explained. Yet, the compressed timeframe of pre-season means clubs must adapt their strategies accordingly. The Como Cup and Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup featured three games of 45 minutes, which offer lower physical benefits but allow for greater squad rotation.
As teams approach the start of the regular season, the goal shifts from building fitness to replicating the demands of competitive football. The expectation is not for every player to be at peak condition on the opening day of the league season. McElhone noted, "It will probably take three to four games into the season before players reach the fitness levels we target during pre-season." This highlights the reality that nothing can fully replicate the pressure of a competitive match.
With the introduction of five substitutes in matches, which became a permanent feature in the Premier League for the 2022-23 season, clubs now prioritize preparing 16-20 players for 60 minutes of play rather than just 11 players for a full 90 minutes. Driscoll remarked, "The introduction of five substitutes changed everything." This shift has made varying match formats more relevant and practical for clubs as they prepare for the upcoming season.