Craig Bellamy criticizes new four-match international window after Wales' Nations League loss to Denmark
Quick Look
Wales head coach Craig Bellamy criticized the new four-match international window following a 2-0 Nations League defeat to Denmark, arguing the condensed schedule disadvantages smaller nations like Wales due to injuries and squad depth, while benefiting larger teams with greater resources.
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Why It Matters
Wales had won their previous Nations League match against Norway but lost to Denmark, marking their third loss in four games within a 10-day period under the new condensed international window format introduced for September and October.
Craig Bellamy suggested the new four-match international window had counted against Wales after Sunday's Nations League defeat against Denmark.
His side failed to build on Thursday's win over Norway as they were deservedly beaten thanks to a second-half Rasmus Hojlund penalty.
It was a third loss in four games played inside 10 days as part of the newly elongated international break.
Head coach Bellamy said his injury-hit squad paid the price for the heavy workload he feels benefits the bigger nations and "puts a real stress" on countries like Wales.
"Physically, I completely agree with the ones who don't like [the new window]. It makes no sense," he added.
"Four games at this type of level… for the other nations, we know who they are because I was in the room when they all voted for it.
"I was one of the ones who wasn't [voting for it], because we know it's a complete disadvantage to us."
Traditionally, international sides have played six games across three windows - all of which have featured two fixtures - in September, October and November.
But for the first time this year, the September and October breaks were merged.
Wales' hopes of coping with the new schedule were not helped by a string of injuries, with stars such as Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Dylan Lawlor and Harry Wilson missing the entire camp and David Brooks dropping out of the squad after defeat by Portugal in the opening game.
Bellamy said Dan James was not fit enough to play against Denmark after he was left on the bench at the Cardiff City Stadium, and acknowledged Ben Davies probably should have been rested after he was withdrawn late on.
"If we have a few injuries, which we had more than one or two, they miss four games," said Bellamy.
"We can deal with two, do you understand? And then the squad will get really tested. The intensity of the squad, the athleticism, really I think [the four-game break] is designed for the elites.
"[They can] say, we can go, we can go, we can turn over these games really, really quickly and we can change, we can change [the team] like for like because we have the numbers. So, it puts a real stress on a lot of us."
Open Questions
- Whether the international football calendar will be revised based on feedback from smaller nations
- How Wales will manage player fitness and rotation in future condensed windows
- Whether other smaller nations share Bellamy's concerns about the new format
