• Restlessness due to the heat. "In July, between 11.00 and 19.00, it will not be good for your health"
  • Exotic adventures. "Earn up to 10 times more"

The coronavirus crisis has allowed more than one injured person, such as Luis Suárez or Eden Hazard , to arrive in time (and at the top) for the outcome of LaLiga. That a few have been able to erase the physical problems that the party load, back in March, made it more difficult to forget. Read Álvaro Morata . Or that others, like Marco Asensioyou may have minutes after overcoming a long-term loss. However, for a large group of footballers from all over Spain, their reality will change during this tight express final. From now on, with the possibility of making five changes, with the overload of matches (all decisive), with the high temperatures or with the set-up that, perhaps, would have required some more week, the concept of substitute may that floated before the pandemic required a few semantic tweaks.

"What footballers want is to play and feel a part of success. They are already convinced, because the best persuasion is the facts. And now they are going to have more opportunities », points out the technician Pablo Machín , who is waiting for the restart of the competition from his home in Girona. “You have won the psychological issue, since the player feels part of the competition. The most important thing is physical preparation to endure repeated efforts, but also recovery and rest, "adds who has led Girona, Seville or Espanyol.

In a similar line, although with nuances, there is an active footballer who was part of one of the greats of LaLiga in this last decade. «Everything depends on the intelligence and ambition of the footballer. And, mainly, of his mental strength. The substitutes come out better or worse depending on what the coach transmits to them and the confidence that he offers them, "he points out. «When you are on the bench, you must be smart and patient, knowing that your opportunity can appear at any time. The problem is that many substitutes do not have that mentality. They think that they do not receive the confidence they deserve. In that aspect, the coach is key ». And remember that there are also circumstances, beyond soccer, that can condition these players.

Role changes

Deciphering what goes through the head of someone used to being part of the bench and, above all, giving them a boost in self-esteem, can be decisive for the 11 days that lie ahead. "The coach has to keep the substitute player alive for the rest of the season. You can't leave it forgotten on the bench until you need it. It should make everyone feel part of the team and know that they can be counted on at any time, ”says Alejo García-Naveira (@Alejo_GNaveira), a sports psychologist, who has worked at Atlético and Almería.

"The player has to believe in him and work to be a starter. Be mentally strong, improve and excel in each training to make it difficult for the coach, "he deepens, adding another factor to consider these days:" The role of the psychologist is very important to detect how your fears and personal circumstances are about what we are living with the crisis".

For the Bulgarian Ludogorets physical trainer, Iván Díaz Infantes , the matter reveals one more edge. «During the course, who were holders and who were substitutes were defined. So you have to do more psychological than physical work to change that, "says the Spanish coach.

The Zidane and Simeone method

Each coach has his method. Three years ago (2017), Zidane tied a League, before winning his second Champions League at Real Madrid, keeping many of his staff connected with rotations. And since his arrival at Atlético (2011), Simeone has always insisted on the importance of the quality of the minutes over the quantity: a player can become decisive without being a starter. Precisely the Argentine has used the most footballers so far -30-, of which only 11 have played more than 1,200 minutes.

However, there is a question that has been floating for a long time: who benefits more from having five changes and having more players whose role was initially secondary? "Big teams can benefit more, because they have more means and better players. There are some thoroughbreds who are physically gifted and used to playing three games a week. For them the change will not be as great as for others who are not used to it. In a way, the greats are going to continue doing what they used to do, "says Machín.

"I think there is no one who is more favored. The big team can take advantage of having better players on the bench to unbalance the game. And the most humble can also give rest so that the wear is less ", the footballer adds to this newspaper. On Thursday, at Sevilla-Betis del Sánchez-Pizjuán , it will begin to know who is more right. And if the substitute concept is no longer pejorative.

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