Riera warns that heavy match load could put Matej Gashtarov at injury risk
Riera says the young midfielder’s rapid increase in playing time — 10 full matches between 30 August and 30 September — could cause serious injuries.
Red Star Belgrade coach Albert Riera has voiced concern about the heavy match load taken on by young Macedonian midfielder Matej Gashtarov, warning it may lead to serious injury.
Riera links sudden workload to injury risk
Gashtarov has enjoyed a breakthrough period that saw him win a place in Red Star's first team and, about ten days ago, make his debut for the senior national team of North Macedonia. But Riera says the rapid escalation in minutes is worrying.
“Look at the example of Gashtarov, this is not normal. We're talking about a boy who until two months ago did not play senior football at all, and then... from 30 August to 30 September he played 10 matches in one month, 90 minutes each. That is too much. Then we wonder why serious injuries happen. It is impossible for the body and the legs to withstand that stress and such an intensity at the highest level,” Riera said.
Riera's comments put the spotlight on player management at club level after a compressed run of fixtures. The coach suggested that such a sudden jump in workload — essentially going from no senior minutes to ten full matches in a month — can overload a young player's body.
For Gashtarov, the warning comes at a delicate moment: his form has drawn praise, but medical caution may become a priority if the club and national team cannot manage his minutes more carefully.
Photo: press material from the event
