A guest article by our expert Peter Breitfeld
"We kill the players!" Thomas Tuchel, coach of Paris Saint-Germain, warned weeks ago. His problem: the impossible control of the players' strain.
According to Tuchel, the relationship between preparation, performance and recovery is in an imbalance due to the corona-related game calendar. Too many games and too little regeneration, according to the PSG trainer, would put the players' bodies in a dangerous situation.
Now Joshua Kimmich, a national player, has injured himself in the top match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich.
The diagnosis: Tearing of the right outer miniscus.
The consequence: surgery.
And it is precisely this problem resulting from many games, difficult preparation and little regeneration that could also threaten amateur sport.
COVID-19 and its effects on the game plan and training opportunities should also set off alarm bells here.
Knee injuries in football are often severe
It is a sound that is horrifying. One that is never forgotten: the slightly popping sound of a torn cross or outer ligament.
First comes this terrible sound, then the pain and then the certainty of not being able to play football for at least the next six months.
Knee injuries are common in football - and usually severe. Even for professionals, it is usually only possible to compete after 9 months, and in amateur sport it is more likely after 12 months.