Granada overexertion: they have four more games than Barça and three more than Real Madrid

Granada is the Spanish team that has played the most games so far this season. Nothing less than 20 They include three in previous qualifying rounds of the Champions League and six corresponding to the group stage. There are four more games than Barcelona and Atlético, who have 16 and three more than Real Madrid, Sevilla, Villarreal and Real Sociedad. The pace does not stop because on Thursday he must face a Copa del Rey match in Pamplona against San Juán.

A few days ago Ronald Koeman complained about the harshness of the calendar designed by FIFA and UEFA. “The calendar is very tough, you have to protect the players because it is impossible to keep the players fit.” Similar words were previously uttered by Zidane. “The schedule is too much for the health of the players.” And also referring to the commitments with the national teams, which is known as the FIFA Virus. Casemiro sentenced: “We are not machines”.

In line with these protests due to the high rate of matches that these players face between the League, the Cup, continental competitions and commitments with their national teams, a comparison can be made with Granada, which on Monday expects a rival in the draw for the round of 32 of the Europa League. And the reality is that the Los Cármenes team has the same reasons, and perhaps more, than the greats of Spanish football to regret so much burden in so few days. It is the team that has played the most games. And those of its seven internationals are not included.

Rui Silva, Duarte, Yangel Herrera, Machís, Luis Suárez, Nehuén Pérez and Eteki have been called up by their respective teams, Portugal (the first two), Venezuela (Yangel and Machís), Argentina (Nehuén), Colombia (Luis Suárez and Cameroon Eteki. Tiring matches and long and heavy trips that prevent the coach, on these occasions, from having them in training sessions work and with the appropriate level of freshness that destroys such a rhythm.

An extra effort that increases with the start of the Copa del Rey next 17 against San Juan in Pamplona in a tie that will not play the four teams that will play the Super Cup, Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Athletic and Real Sociedad. Granada will increase its distance from matches in relation to Real Madrid and Blaugranas.

The coronavirus outbreak that punished the team of technicians and players is already well known. Diego Martínez had to make impossible rotations in San Sebastián in a match where four professionals and seven subsidiaries ended up playing.

It seems logical that Diego Martinez welcome the possibility of the team strengthening itself when the winter transfer window opens. This was reflected in El Pelotazo on Canal Sur. “Everything we can improve in the market will be interesting and necessary “.

Tough rivals for the Europa League

Granada, as second classified in their group, will be in Pot 2 of the draw to be held next Monday in Nyom (Switzerland). The opponent will come out of pot 1. And neither is a meringue. Manchester United, Shakkthar Donetks, Bruges and Ajax (who come from the Champions League) to which must be added Rome Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Rangers, Naples, Leicester City, Milan, Tottenham, Dinamo Zagreb and Hoffenheim, leaders of their respective groups. The first leg will be played on February 18 in Los Cármenes and the return away. No joke. Luis Mulla already says it. “Hopefully we can win public in the round of 32”.