I am confused. The game is more intense yes, but the schedule has not really changed that much, right? There used to be 24 teams in the top division and the cups, besides Europe, are largely the same. If you go all the way in Europe you are look at 4 to 6 matches vs what there was in the first division days? Are squads smaller?
International is another matter. That is all kinds of stupid, but that is not on the leagues'. That is more on the associations and confederations.