MADRID, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes that players should be consulted on the impact of the new-style international break, which he says 'disrupts' teams' momentum at the start of the new season.
Club football returns this weekend after a break of almost three weeks since the last league matches under FIFA's new international calendar. The revised schedule eliminates the October international window but extends the September break across two weekends, allowing national teams to play up to four matches.
"It really needs to be evaluated, especially for the sake of the players," said Simeone when asked his opinion in Friday's press conference.
"Between the travel and the physical demands, most have played four matches and some three, we need to consider how players can put on a show."
"Ultimately, this is entertainment, and people need to see the players at their best, but we are reaching a point where that happens less and less; the players' ability to perform at their peak is starting to decline," he said, insisting that "the situation needs to be assessed in consultation with the players-they are the ones playing and the ones entertaining the fans." ■