Why PL Clubs Are Ditching 90 Mins for 3 ‘Halves’ & 60-Min Games
Why Football Teams Play Weird-Length Games Before the Real Season Starts
Have you noticed that pre-season football matches aren’t always the usual 90 minutes? Some are 45 minutes, some are 60, and Liverpool even played 160 minutes in a single day against Como! It might look confusing, but there’s a very smart reason behind it.
The Problem with 90 Minutes Too Early
Imagine you’ve been on holiday for a few weeks. You’re fit, but you’re not match-fit. If a manager makes you play a full 90-minute game on day one, two bad things happen:
- Injury risk shoots up – your body isn’t ready for that intensity
- Only 11 players get real minutes – the rest of the squad stands around or sits on the bench
Key Insight: Pre-season isn’t about winning friendlies. It’s about building every player’s engine safely and fairly.
How Fitness Coaches Actually Plan Pre-Season
Sports scientists think in kilometres per week, not just minutes. Here’s the typical roadmap for a Premier League or EFL club:
The 6-Week Build-Up Plan
| Week | Target Distance | Match Minutes | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30–35 km | 0 min | Hard training, no games |
| 2 | 30–35 km | 45 min | One short friendly (≈5–6 km) |
| 3 | 30–35 km | 60 min | Longer friendly, higher intensity |
| 4 | 25–30 km | 75 min | Near full game, but less total running |
| 5+ | 25–30 km | 90 min | Full matches, match-sharp focus |
Remember: A 45-minute game at high intensity ≠ 45 minutes of jogging in training. The pressure and unpredictability make it much harder work.
Clever Formats Clubs Actually Use
Since there are 25+ players but only 11 spots, clubs get creative:
1. Split Games (Two Teams, One Day)
- Leicester vs Bristol Rovers played 120 minutes total – four 30-minute quarters
- Two completely different XIs got 60 minutes each
- Fair minutes, fair load, happy squad
2. Mini-Tournaments (45-Minute Games)
- Como Cup, Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup – three teams, back-to-back 45-minute matches
- Used mid-to-late pre-season when players can handle more intensity
- Clubs like Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest fielded two different XIs across the two games
3. Double-Headers
- Liverpool vs Como: 160 minutes total across two games (one behind closed doors, one at Anfield)
- Leeds vs RB Leipzig: 120 minutes split into two 60-minute matches
Why Not Just Play Normal 90s Behind Closed Doors?
They do – every week! But public friendlies serve extra purposes:
- Fans get to watch new signings and youngsters
- Revenue from tickets and broadcasts
- Test tactics in a real stadium atmosphere
- Squad morale – everyone feels involved, not just the "starters"
Glen Driscoll (ex-Liverpool, Celtic, Leicester performance analyst):
"You don’t want half the squad already feeling like they’ve been identified as the non-starters."
The Game-Changer: Five Substitutes
Since the Premier League made five subs permanent (2022–23), the math changed completely:
| Old Rule (3 subs) | New Rule (5 subs) |
|---|---|
| Need 11 players fit for 90 mins | Need 16–20 players fit for 60 mins |
| Bench players barely play | Bench players get real, meaningful minutes |
| Squad depth less critical | Squad depth is now a weapon |
This is why 60-minute blocks are now the gold standard in pre-season planning.
What The Experts Say
Anton McElhone (Huddersfield Town Head of Medical & Performance):
"There’s a million ways to skin a cat. We fit around the coach’s plan, monitor loads, and adjust daily."Alan McCall (Performance Consultant):
"There is no exact formula. The most important thing? Whatever happens in pre-season means nothing once the first real game starts."
Summary
- 90 minutes is a destination, not a starting point
- Fitness is measured in weekly kilometres, not just match minutes
- Shorter, varied games let every player build match fitness safely
- Five-sub rule means clubs need more players ready for 60 mins, not just 11 for 90
- Goal: Arrive at Gameweek 1 with a fully fit, fairly prepared squad of 18–20 players
FAQ
Why don’t they just play 90-minute friendlies every week?
Because early in pre-season, 90 minutes at match intensity would injure players or leave 14+ squad members undertrained. Shorter games let coaches control the physical load precisely.
Do 45-minute games actually help fitness?
Yes – but only later in pre-season (weeks 4–6). At that stage, players need high-intensity bursts, not volume. Two 45-minute games in one night with different XIs = sharpness + fairness.
Are these weird formats new?
No! All three experts confirmed: non-90-minute friendlies (public or behind closed doors) have been standard practice for 20+ years. You’re just noticing them more now.
Who decides the format – the manager or the sports scientists?
The manager/head coach has final say. Sports scientists advise on minutes, loads, and recovery, but the coach decides the shape of the games based on tactical needs too.
Does any of this guarantee a good season?
Absolutely not. As McElhone puts it: "Whatever happens in pre-season means nothing once the first game of the season begins." It’s just preparation – the real test starts when the points count.