The new calendar has significant implications for domestic leagues, with Italy's domestic leagues off until October 9. This break is unprecedented, with former Italy fitness coach Vincenzo Pincolini explaining the benefits and dangers of the situation. Pincolini, now working with coach Paolo Nicolato's Latvia, believes that players who aren't on international duty have an important advantage, as they will have time to focus on their own training and recovery.
Some clubs, like Inter and Tottenham Hotspur, have given their remaining players a whole week off to do as they wish. This approach is not universal, however, with Gennaro Gattuso giving Lazio five days for their vacation. Pincolini notes that having a full 90-minute match is the most important training a player can have, but the current situation means that training can only do so much.
The effects of this break will be seen once the league resumes on October 9. Pincolini suggests that teams with fewer players on international duty will be able to train for three weeks without pressure, have a couple of relaxed friendly matches, and be ready against a side that had seven or eight players in four international matches. This could lead to an uneven playing field, with some teams benefiting more than others from the time off.
The UEFA calendar has created a minefield for clubs, with Pincolini's comments highlighting the challenges of managing player recovery and training during this unprecedented break.