In elite soccer, the number of competitive matches per season, including domestic, continental and international matches, can be very high for successful teams. Some players can play up to 70 competitive matches per season. In these conditions, the number of weeks with two matches per week is greater than the number of weeks with one match per week. A single match leads to acute fatigue, characterised by a decline in maximal muscle strength1, which requires several days to fully recover. When the schedule is congested (i.e. two matches per week over several weeks), the repetition of matches can lead to a chronic fatigue among the players who play regularly, as the recovery time between two successive matches may be too short. FIFA recommends at least 2 days between two matches, but this is not a rule, it is solely a recommendation. Anecdotal interviews from managers and head coaches frequently reveal that the players are exhausted from the repetitions of matches. Are these subjective statements justified by scientific evidence? In this instance, a congested schedule can be associated with a decrement of physical performance and with a higher injury rate. This aspect will be addressed in the first part of this article. The second question is how much time does a professional player need to fully recover? This aspect will be addressed in the second part of the article. The third part will deal with the actions performed during a match that may lead to fatigue and the potential mechanisms involved. The fourth question concerns the recovery strategies that are available to reduce the magnitude of fatigue and to accelerate the time to fully recover. This will be addressed in the fourth part of the article.
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