Real Madrid has announced that it will no longer agree to play matches with less than 72 hours of rest between games, following its hard-fought 2-1 victory over Villarreal on Saturday. The club’s stance was confirmed by head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who emphasized the physical toll on players due to tight scheduling.
The match against Villarreal kicked off at 6:30 p.m. local time (17:30 GMT) on Saturday, just three days after Real Madrid’s grueling Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid. That midweek game, which started at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, extended to 120 minutes and was decided by a penalty shootout, leaving players with minimal recovery time.
“This is the last time we will play within 72 hours,” Ancelotti stated firmly after the Villarreal game. He revealed that the club had requested La Liga to reschedule the match to Sunday to allow for adequate rest, but the appeal was denied.
Real Madrid has now decided to escalate the matter, announcing plans to consult with FIFA regarding the scheduling of upcoming fixtures. The club aims to ensure that player welfare is prioritized, particularly in light of the increasingly congested football calendar.
This move highlights growing concerns among top clubs about the physical demands placed on players, especially with the addition of new competitions and expanded formats in international tournaments.
Real Madrid Demands Minimum 72-Hour Rest Between Matches, Vows to Avoid Tight Scheduling
