Fatigue: Today vs Yesterday

[Real Ray]

After the loss to Monaco, a lot of the talk from Real Madrid players and fans alike was the issue of fatigue. And it is of course, a topic that came up during WC 2002 and the failure of the European teams. Which took me to the bookshelf to compare two teams: 1977-78 Liverpool and 2001-02 Real Madrid.

Liverpool began play that year on 08/20/77:
42 League Matches
1 FA Cup Match
9 League Cup Matches
4 European Cup Matches.

Total: 56 Matches between 8/20/77-5/10/78

Real Madrid began play on 8/25/01:
38 League matches
9 Cup Matches
17 Champions League Matches

Total 64 Matches between 8/25/01-5/15/02

That's 8 more matches. Now the CL has been modifed and for this season blame can be placed on the club for its short squad (one can throw in the "summer tour" when speaking of big european clubs, a well). And I know people will make note re: "the pace of the modern game."

But in terms of actual matches, it +8 over the same time frame. Legitimate excuse or spoiled players?

[Mobile]

After the loss to Monaco, a lot of the talk from Real Madrid players and fans alike was the issue of fatigue. And it is of course, a topic that came up during WC 2002 and the failure of the European teams. Which took me to the bookshelf to compare two teams: 1977-78 Liverpool and 2001-02 Real Madrid.

Liverpool began play that year on 08/20/77:
42 League Matches
1 FA Cup Match
9 League Cup Matches
4 European Cup Matches.

Total: 56 Matches between 8/20/77-5/10/78

Real Madrid began play on 8/25/01:
38 League matches
9 Cup Matches
17 Champions League Matches

Total 64 Matches between 8/25/01-5/15/02

That's 8 more matches. Now the CL has been modifed and for this season blame can be placed on the club for its short squad (one can throw in the "summer tour" when speaking of big european clubs, a well). And I know people will make note re: "the pace of the modern game."

But in terms of actual matches, it +8 over the same time frame. Legitimate excuse or spoiled players?

I'm too lazy to look it up myself but I'd be willing to bet that the 77-78 Liverpool side used less players over the course of the season, even when you take Real's 'short squad' into account.