Physical Load Pre-Season Tour

The days of preparation for the new season should be painful periods, because the club will force the players to return to peak fitness condition after a few weeks off. However, the burden of which will be received by the player's body is increasing with a long trip to another continent.

Almost every year the big European clubs do a pre-season tour and go to a country like the United States, China, Australia, the countries of Southeast Asia and East Asia to match 'entertainment' while doing the physical preparation of players ahead of the new season.

But in recent years, given the portion between doing an exhibition match and physically prepare the players so unbalanced with clubs who prefer to get the money coffers of friendship matches.

For example, Manchester United had just won the Champions Cup International tournament. During the pre-season in the United States, just a span of 15 days, the team that cared for Louis van Gaal was forced into town berkeliing Maryland, Colorado, Michigan, and Florida.

To make the trip, nearly six out of 15 days allotted for the trip using a variety of low and mileage to more than 13,500 miles.

Not to mention when talking about the conference-press conference, interviews, photo sessions, and various events organized by sponsors. It's hard to see the pre-season tour will provide benefits for the physical player.

In a few weeks back, a good coach Manchester United and Arsenal have expressed dissatisfaction against the pre-season schedule.

Van Gaal had said that although the matches is critical to integrate the team and setting up formations, but the flying schedule and the distance to go start a negative effect on his players. Jet lag and tiredness will affect the team's preparations.

While Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger, took a harder line. He refused a friendly match in far away places --musim then Arsenal visit Asia Tenggara-- and more to do games at home alone, namely by holding the Emirates Cup.

Wenger's footsteps quite possibly followed by Van Gaal next season.

It is important to note that last season Manchester United on tour to Thailand, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong. Then, when the new season starts, Manchester United lost three of their first eight games.

MU tour at that time was considered a success and is considered please the supporters in the Far East Asia. But, given the poor achievements of Manchester United last season, many of them will be more memililih his team lift the trophy rather than seeing the idols from close range.