Eddie Wolecki Black, the Glasgow City coach, has criticised Uefa for making clubs play three Women's Champions League qualifiers in six days.
The Scottish champions host Group 4 at Airdrieonians' Excelsior Stadium and like the other 31 clubs involved in the qualifiers play their three games on Saturday, next Monday and next Thursday. City's opponents are their counterparts from Ukraine, Slovakia and Northern Ireland.
"UEFA have got to look at themselves, because personally I really think the schedule is a disgrace," Wolecki Black said.
"It is ridiculous to ask players to compete such a high quality tournament with only 24 hours recovery between the first and second matches, and 48 hours between the second and third.
"It's well regarded that you need 72 hours to recover. Do UEFA want the best teams to go through to the last 32 or the luckiest?
"It could come down to which teams pick up the least injuries."
City are bidding to reach the last 32 of the Champions League for a fourth successive season, and despite his comments the coach admits that hosting a qualifying group for the first time could be a huge advantage. That sentiment is echoed by the Northern Ireland central defender Julie Nelson, who is particularly looking forward to the tie against Glentoran next Monday.
City kick off with a match against Slovakians Nove Zamky on Saturday night, and will play FC Zhilstroy of Ukraine a week on Thursday.
"Previously City have always had to travel abroad to play in the qualifying groups," Nelson pointed out. "Obviously playing at home this time we don't have to worry about travel, food and these types of issues.
"We know very little about Nove Zamky, but Glentoran will be tough to beat. They are a typical Northern Irish side who will fight to the end.
"Half of their squad are my team-mates at international level and they'll be up for the game as always. Fingers crossed I have the bragging rights next time we meet up for Northern Ireland.
"Zhilstroy played my old team Crusaders in the qualifiers last year and beat them 5-0. They are the second seeds so at least we have been able to get some information on them from that game."
Admission prices for the Glasgow City qualifiers are £5 (adults) and £2 (children). Spectators can pay at the gate or purchase tickets in advance from www.gcfctickets.co.uk
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