Spain’s Valencia are one of the country’s biggest football clubs. The club have won six La Liga titles and seven Copa del Rey trophies over the years. However, in recent time, Valencia haven’t seen the same success. After a 12th place finish in 2016-17, the club made yet another managerial change. This time, Valencia hired Spanish coaching veteran Marcelino.

One of the first things the Spaniard did was to change his players’ diets. Marcelino’s staff quickly gave each player an individual diet plan. As a manager, Marcelino is a very demanding coach, but his players have jumped on board. It has resulted in Valencia currently being second place in La Liga. The team will play Barcelona at the weekend with a chance to move within one point of the Catalans for first place in Spain.

So, what has Marcelino’s fitness and nutrition team dictated to the players?

Firstly, each player must drink two litres of water a day. More water intake means your metabolism will work faster. It also boosts players’ energy levels.

Secondly, Valencia’s playing staff have been asked to eat more fruit and vegetables, while avoiding baked foods. All fried foods should be avoided as well. Only a few dairy products or foods with dairy products are to be consumed as well. Carbohydrates are to be limited by each player.

Finally, Marcelino has told his players they must avoid all alcohol consumption.

Valencia’s players are weighed regularly and those who do not meant the weight requirements won’t find themselves near the first team picture.

It is a bold move, and one that may not allow for a long tenure as coach at Valencia. So far, the players have adhered to the rules and it is working. The team have been brilliant this term. The players’ sacrifices in regards to food shows just how important fitness, weight and football are when they are combined.