My blog: I like to have chicken before games

There are no particular restrictions, no one ever checks how much we actually eat. After all we are all professionals and know what's best for us.

Communal meals provide a lot to choose from. There is always soup, several types of meat, usually beef, chicken and fish. As to the sides there is rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, as well as some salad, fruit and sweet dessert.

No one will try to stop you if you have some cake and vanilla ice cream. It's all up to you. The players' performance is ultimately the only thing that matters. There are non-alcoholic drinks only. We mostly drink water, but are free to help ourselves to coke as well, be it standard or light.

As for pre-match nutrition, we have our last meal three hours before kick-off. If we play during the day we may even eat as early as at half past nine. Then I usually just have two pieces of toast and scrambled eggs. If the game starts later in the afternoon though, I like to have the lunch I am used to. A chicken steak with pasta. Either just with cheese and olive oil or with some scrambled eggs and vegetables, as well. To me that's a perfect combination, I'm neither hungry, nor too full afterwards. Some might like to have some coffee and dessert to finish off with, but personally I prefer just coffee, as I don't eat anything sweet before games.