Kompany and Alonso Urge Action on Player Workload

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany and Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso have both voiced concerns over increasing player workloads, joining the growing debate on the issue amid talks of potential strikes.

Kompany suggested that a limit should be placed on the number of matches a player can play each year, while Alonso emphasized the need for players to have a greater say in decisions about the fixture calendar.

The issue of player fatigue has gained more attention in recent years, as the number of fixtures continues to rise. This season’s Champions League has added extra matches, and FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup is set to take place in the summer, a period when players usually get a break.

Some of Europe’s top clubs, balancing both domestic and European competitions, could end up playing as many as 75 matches in a single season.

In a press conference ahead of Bayern’s game against Werder Bremen, Kompany reflected on the issue, saying, “This has been a concern since my playing days,” and called it “a crucial topic.” He added, “Playing 75 to 80 games is simply unrealistic. I’ve always supported introducing a cap on the number of games a player can participate in and ensuring mandatory breaks for players.”

Manchester City’s Rodri, a former teammate of Kompany, recently echoed similar concerns, stating that many players feel “we are close to a strike.” He added, “If things keep going this way, we may have no other option.”

Liverpool’s Alisson and Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois have also raised alarms over the current demands on players.

Ahead of Leverkusen’s match against Wolfsburg, Alonso shared his agreement with Rodri, stating, “I understand where Rodri and other players are coming from. Professional players need to be involved in these discussions because, at the end of the day, we want to see high-quality football. The schedule is just too tight, and players need to be heard.”

Kompany, a former Manchester City and Belgium captain, has long been an advocate for player welfare and was a member of the FIFPro players’ union during his career. The 38-year-old believes implementing a cap would benefit both players and clubs, saying, “It would relieve pressure on the clubs, but there should always be exceptions for finals—you can’t take that moment away from the players.”

As Bayern juggles a packed schedule, Kompany assured that there will be squad rotations in the coming weeks to manage player fatigue. “We’re dealing with a congested fixture list and the strain on our players. Having a deep squad is not a luxury; it’s essential to meet our goals.”

Regarding veteran captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Kompany said a decision on his fitness for the match against Bremen would be made after training. Neuer was substituted at halftime during Tuesday’s 9-2 victory over Dinamo Zagreb after injuring his back. Kompany added, “We don’t want to take any unnecessary risks, but things are looking good for Neuer.”