Uncovering Misconceptions around Football Players' Workload: Untangling Reality from Fiction

Rebel Without a Cruise Control: The FA Cup's Exciting Showdown and Beyond

Join us as we delve into this weekend's FA Cup final spectacle between Manchester City and Crystal Palace! This championship promises to be a thrilling display, especially for City who are longing to avoid a trophyless season. Given their illustrious history of seven Premier League titles, six League Cup victories, two FA Cup trophies, one Champions League, and a recent exit from the Champions League, a barren year could be quite the shock.

In sharp contrast, this final will mark only Crystal Palace's third appearance in history, and their first trophy has yet to be won. Although the odds favor City, don't rule out a surprising upset with Palace's impressive head coach and an energized squad of young talents. For a closer look at how south London's team has been excelling beyond expectations, click here.

This week, we're highlighting our investigation into the reality of player workload in football. The issue has been gaining attention as unions voice concerns about players being overworked. Competition organizers are struggling to fill their schedules as they chase more lucrative TV deals by adding games, which increases player burnout and injuries. However, our data reporting and analysis revealed some surprising findings:

Players haven't been playing more matches or longer minutes. The number of matches has actually decreased slightly since 2000.
Players also aren't running any further during a match compared to past seasons.
In contrast, the number of passes and sprints has increased sharply, indicating a change in the way the game is being played and contributing to increased player fatigue.

Take a look at the full report here. This article is part of our Business of Football special report, which examines the trends shaping the world's favorite sport.

This week's report also covers:

UCL Shake-up Triumphs: Learn about the positive impact of Uefa's revamped Champions League format and increased fan engagement.
Fantasy Premier League Obsession: Discover how this beloved stats game has become an integral part of the Premier League experience for millions.
Premium Stadiums of the Future: Read about clubs' plans to generate revenue through luxury facilities for high-paying fans, hotels, and urban revitalization projects.
Giorgio Chiellini's Second Act: Catch the inspiring story of the star defender who transitioned to an executive role at Juventus.
Discovering the Next Neymar with AI: Explore the uses of AI in Brazilian football as talent scouts employ mass evaluation systems.
Short-Form Football Fever: Delve into the rise of rapid, online-friendly football formats appealing to younger audiences.

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The Full Throttle of Player Workload: Data Driven Revelations

As football becomes more popular and competition for TV rights consistently grows, so does the pressure on players to perform in as many matches as possible. However, are players truly playing more than they did in the past? Our data analysis reveals some intriguing findings:

Players are neither playing more matches nor at longer durations than in prior decades. On the contrary, the number of matches seems to have decreased slightly since the turn of the millennium.
Similar trends hold for running distances; players aren't exerting themselves any more than before.
Where the issue gets more complex is the style of play, which has drastically evolved. Modern football involves more passes and sprints, placing greater demands on players' energy levels.

More notable outcomes from our investigation can be found here. Join us as we continue to uncover the business side of the beautiful game, only on Financial Times!

Barcelona's Money Marathon: Can Camp Nou Fetch the Finish Line?

Barcelona's recent title win in the Spanish league marks a year of success for the club, after defeating Copa del Rey and narrowly losing in the Champions League final. The Catalan side has undeniably been thriving on the pitch, but behind the scenes, their finances have been a challenge.

Last month, La Liga reduced Barcelona's budget as the club struggles to cope with crippling expenses from its €1.5bn stadium renovation. This reconstruction has kept the team at the Olympic Stadium, a temporary home with lower capacity and a smaller revenue stream. According to club estimates, the misplacement is costing them €100mn per year. As if that wasn't enough, efforts to cover the expenses through asset sales have been met with obstacles.

The delayed Camp Nou project maintains a hoped-for return by the end of the summer, although delays may prolong the club's financial distress. The construction highlights a pressing concern: the spending power of high-end hospitality, catering to VIPs with nearly 10,000 additional seats, may not be enough to alleviate money woes.

With nearly €1.5bn due to be repaid in 2028, time is of the essence. Executives remain optimistic about regaining financial stability through new asset opportunities and refinancing, hopefully maintaining the club's competitive edge on the pitch.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, reaching you exclusively on Financial Times!

In the realm of football, the decrease in match numbers and playing distances debunks the stereotype that modern players are tirelessly overexerted.
Our analysis unveils that the style of play and the surge in passes and sprints can lead to increased player fatigue in contemporary football.
Despite Barcelona's recent triumphs on the pitch, their financial situation is a cause for concern, with the delayed stadium renovation exacerbating their expenses.
The Business of Football remains a stockpile of fascinating insights, including the UCL's overhaul, the rise of rapid online-friendly football formats, and the investigations into player workloads.