Rodri says players are ‘close to striking’ over crammed schedule

"We are the guys that suffer"

In recent years, football has seen an increasingly busy game schedule with the expansion of competitions such as the Champions League, the newly refurbed Club World Cup and even the Play-Offs in the Championship.

All these matches increase the workload on players who have began complaining more and more about the frequency at which matches are being played.

Now, Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri has spoken out ahead of the start of the Champions League tonight about the crammed schedule, after being asked during a press conference if players could potentially go on strike one day.

The midfielder replied: "Yes, I think we are close to that. It is easy to understand.

"In general, if you ask any player he will say the same. It is not like it is just the opinion of Rodri, or whoever.

"I think it is a general opinion of the players, and if it keeps this way, it will be a moment where we have no other option. Let's see. I don't know what is going to happen but it is something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer."

UEFA's new format for the Champions League will see 64 more games played throughout the tournament.

Rodri is not the only player to call out the tight schedule, with Liverpool goalkeeper, Alisson, echoing these comments yesterday.

The stopper said: "Nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games so maybe our opinion does not matter. But everybody knows what we think. Everybody is tired of it.

"We are not stupid and understand that. We understand that people want more games. For the supporters, it is amazing. More games, more bigger games, big teams against each other.

“But this is not only a question I should answer. It is a matter to sit down all together and listen to all the parts because we understand we have the media and TV, the side of UEFA and FIFA, Premier League, domestic competitions.

Liverpool will have one of the most hectic schedules this season, fighting on five fronts, and he gave his thoughts on how to fix the issue.

“The reasonable thing would be, all the people I mentioned – those who make the calendar, organising the calendar – to sit together and listen to all the parts inclusive of the players," he said.

“That’s what we would like to do, to sit together and understand what is the thinking of the directions that football wants to go.

“Not only adding games, adding competitions, adding this and that. What we want is to give our best for the football, if you are tired you cannot compete at a high level.

“I want to give my best in all the games I play but we need a solution. It does not look like we are close to a good solution for football sake and players’ sake.”

Liverpool kick off their Champions League campaign today away against AC Milan, while Man City will be playing Inter Milan at home tomorrow evening.