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Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall believes the current Women’s Champions League qualifying format is a “relic of the past” which “impacts on injury risk”.
The Gunners progressed to the second round with a 1-0 win over Rosenborg in the first-round final on Saturday, having beaten Rangers 6-0 three days previously.
The mini-league format will end next season when UEFA launches a single league phase comprising 18 teams.
However, Eidevall is not happy with the schedule, saying the Women’s Super League (WSL) and UEFA have “no concerns” about the lack of recovery time between games spaced 72 hours apart.
“Now that we’ve passed that stage, I can say: we’re lucky that an English team doesn’t have to take part in these mini-tournaments again. For all the excitement they generate, they’re a thing of the past,” Eidevall said.
“It’s just a matter of budget. That’s why they organize the whole weekend to save an extra night in a hotel. [by playing on a Sunday].
“All the research in the world shows that there is a huge difference between 72 hours and 96 hours of recovery after a match. I can’t understand what that means.”
Eidevall said he raised his concerns with UEFA and the WSL “in relevant discussions” to bring about change.
“It’s just science. The WSL has no concerns about it, UEFA has no concerns about it. The science – it’s a fact – it has an impact on injury risk. It’s the same in men’s football,” he said.
“It’s just that science is one thing and throwing money around is another.
“We must always move forward. It’s not an excuse, it’s just science.”
Arsenal will find out their second qualifying round opponents when the draw takes place on Monday at 12:00 BST.
The two teams could face Juventus, BK Hacken, Paris FC, Fiorentina or Sporting. The two-legged matches will take place on September 18-19 and 25-26.
UEFA and the WSL have been contacted for comment.
