Former Real Madrid Fitness Coach: Spain’s Starting Lineup Has Played Far Fewer Minutes Than England’s, Giving Them a Huge Advantage in the Final

In the upcoming Euro Cup final, the clash between Spain and England is not only a battle of skill and tactics but also one of fitness. Former Real Madrid fitness coach José San Martín has conducted an in-depth analysis of both teams’ physical condition, highlighting that Spain has a clear advantage in terms of fitness reserves, adding more weight to their chances of victory.

The grueling schedule of the entire season poses a severe challenge to players’ fitness, especially as it intensifies towards the end of the season. Carvajal’s comments before the quarterfinals revealed this issue: “It’s impossible for players to maintain high levels of performance when they have to play every three days throughout the year.” However, Spain seems to have found a way to cope, with their fitness management strategy earning high praise from San Martín.

According to San Martín, Spain’s physical condition is outstanding: “Luis de la Fuente’s coaching staff has found the perfect balance, ensuring key players receive adequate recovery without overtraining or under-resting, which has left Spain in excellent shape on the eve of the final.” In contrast, England has undergone the test of two extra-time matches, with evident signs of fatigue among its players.

In terms of specific data, Spain’s theoretical starting lineup has accumulated 4,593 minutes of playing time, while England’s equivalent figure stands at a staggering 5,839 minutes – meaning England has played nearly 1,300 more minutes than Spain. This gap represents a significant difference in energy expenditure, particularly in the Euro Cup, where players’ physical endurance and recovery capabilities are pushed to the limit.

England not only has five of the players with the most minutes played, but also occupies five out of the seven spots for the longest distances covered by players, including Rice (74.9 km), Foden (67.9 km), Bellingham (65.4 km), Walker (65.2 km), and Kane (63.1 km). San Martín specifically mentioned the condition of Spanish players Nico and Yarmol: “They’re like airplanes, brimming with energy.” Meanwhile, England’s Bellingham shows clear signs of being physically drained.

For England’s head coach Southgate, the fact that Spain has had an extra day of rest is a significant advantage, “This has been a problem in past tournaments, we must ensure the players recover as much as possible.”

San Martín explained that while players’ cardiovascular systems can recover rapidly within 2-3 days, muscle system recovery is more complex, especially considering the frequent accelerations and decelerations in football.

However, despite the clear disadvantage in fitness, San Martín also cautions Spain against underestimating England: “Talent and mental state are equally important, England has become stronger after overcoming numerous difficulties.” But he still favors Spain: “This is a final, anything can happen, but I believe Spain will be crowned European champions.”