## 4 Discussion
These results are difficult to compare as, to our knowledge, no other research has compared internal load, external load, and wellness and recovery during a congested competition period in female young players based on playing roles. However, considering the differences in the population [24] (elite Brazilian males vs. adolescent females) and the higher absolute external load, the adjustments in external load made by the team based on the distance to days/hours to the competition are similar in both contexts. The last training session before a match MD\(-\)1 is the day with the lowest values in TD, HSR, PL, and high metabolic running distance, regardless of how many hours have passed since the previous match [24]. Based on our findings and those from other studies [2; 9; 10; 21; 24], there appears to be a consensus on the periodization strategies of MD\(-\)1. These strategies involve a tapering period in the hours leading to the match, in which the training load is deliberately minimized to enhance recovery and increase the readiness to compete [9]. Our results highlight the importance of monitoring the training load during the periodization process to adequately prepare players for international games [15; 32]. Providing the optimal loading stimulus to players during such a short period, as experienced in international tournaments (in our study, three games in 7 days), is crucial for achieving peak performance and minimizing the potential risk of injury and illness [20]. Moreover, monitoring load becomes even more essential compared to club contexts for the following two reasons: first, to minimize spikes in load during the transition from club to national team and second, because the time available for recovery between competitions is shorter. Any discomfort or injury can significantly limit player availability, which has been shown to be a determining factor for sporting success in soccer [33]. Another fundamental aspect that physical trainers and coaches need to manage is balancing the training dose between starters and non-starters so that players who play fewer minutes in competition do not have lower training doses [22] or different monotony and strain [11] and do not decrease the accumulated load [8]. All these factors together, if maintained in time, could decrease physical performance and increase the predisposition to injury in subsequent microcycles [8]. According to the results of this study, the load imposed during matches did not result in a difference in recovery values or perceived well-being between starters and non-starters at any point during the tournament, despite different training loads (TL) (Figures 1-3). These results are contradictory to those previously observed in professional soccer players [2; 13], in which reductions in sleep quality, fatigue, muscle soreness, stress, and mood were observed on MD+1 using a well-being questionnaire similar to the one in the present study [12]. Additionally, a relationship between different markers of competitive demands (RPE, duration, sRPE, HSR, sprint distance, accelerations, and decelerations) and reductions in sleep quality, fatigue, and muscle soreness was observed the day after the competition [13]. These contradictory results may be due to several factors, such as the different distribution of total minutes played during the competition or environmental conditions that could have modified the RPE values [34]. Furthermore, the analyzed team won all three matches they played, which could also have moderately to largely altered the perception of effort, as well as sleep quality, stress, and fatigue [14]. Based on the current results, it seems that the periodization adopted during the tournament for non-starters may have been overly conservative, as non-starters had a lower weekly load (both internal and external) than starters (Figures 1-3), suggesting