Carling Cup question (lineups)

king_saladin · Nov 11, 2004

Why do Premiership teams often bench most of their best players for Carling Cup games?

I'd understand if a Premier League team was playing a much lower ranked team, but teams seem to bench most of their usual starters even when playing other top teams.

For example, Liverpool vs Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough had half of their usual starters on the bench, I believe. Why would both of these teams do this, knowing that this is a 'big' match?

Thanks

London Wanka · Nov 11, 2004

king_saladin said:

Why do Premiership teams often bench most of their best players for Carling Cup games?

I'd understand if a Premier League team was playing a much lower ranked team, but teams seem to bench most of their usual starters even when playing other top teams.

For example, Liverpool vs Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough had half of their usual starters on the bench, I believe. Why would both of these teams do this, knowing that this is a 'big' match?

Thanks
Click to expand...

'Cos the Carling Cup is seen as a secondary cup competition and with all the games nowadays, the clubs competing Europe, especially, in the Champions' League prefer to give their main players a rest.