Each Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 teams will be allowed to make five substitutions per match in the 2020-21 season.
This was a decision reached by the Extraordinary Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) Members Assembly. The decision which concerns medical and hygiene-related concept will be integrated into statutes.
“Looking ahead to the matches of the coming season, the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs also used the virtual meeting to consider the maximum number of substitutions.
“In both leagues, as has recently already been the case, five substitutions will be permitted per match. In the 2020-21 season, each team will once again have three opportunities during the match, as well as the half-time interval to make substitutions.
“The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which is responsible for the rules of the game, had raised the possibility of such an adjustment to the permitted number of substitutions before the special match operations started in the past 2019-20 season and subsequently approved it for the 2020-21 season as well,” part of the statement released by the DFL reads.
This is expected to also give the league an edge above others that have gone back to the three substitutions like the Premier League. The teams that will suffer burn out most will be the ones involved in three or four competitions.
This means the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and other Bundesliga teams participating in Europe will be able to give some players rest and get them refreshed for important games.
An opportunity for young players to get shine in Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2
With this development that was revealed by the DFL during a press conference on Thursday morning, clubs with a big squad will also benefit. There is also a likelihood of seeing clubs that are heavy on both veteran players and young players looking to breakthrough making an immense contribution to the development of the league.
After winning the Champions League just 13 days ago, Bayern Munich players face a daunting and condensed schedule for the 2020/21 Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League. In between the competitions are international commitments like the UEFA Nations League amongst others.
With this arrangement, Bayern Munich coach, Hansi Flick will find time to rest his stars amid a hectic calendar. This is expected to be an easier task for him with his large squad. So, the likes of Michaël Cuisance, Corentin Tolisso, Lucas Hernandez, Jerome Boateng, and Tanguy Nianzou, who have been in reserve roles will finally get some game time.
Such a decision by the DFL also open up more opportunities for the likes of Bright Arrey-Mbi, Joshua Zirkzee, Chris Richards, Fiete Arp, and Jamal Musiala.
