“Madrid will never again play a game without 72 hours’ rest.” This was the forceful statement made by Real Madrid, via their official television channel, about the lack of rest with which Ancelotti’s team faced the league game against Villarreal. ‘Madrid will never play a game under these conditions,’ they said on Real Madrid TV.
This would have put a stop to a series of complaints that have been endorsed by several LaLiga coaches. Just this week Hansi Flick complained about having to play Osasuna on Thursday after the international break and now on Sunday against Girona. This is the situation. We can talk about tomorrow’s game, but also about the game against Leganés (Saturday, April 12), prior to the game against Dortmund the following Tuesday. When you play away at 9 p.m., we are always late, which is not satisfactory. When you see how other leagues manage this…”, he warned.
“We have to accept it. That’s the decision. We can’t change it. It’s up to UEFA or FIFA to decide that players should get a rest. That’s the way it is. La Liga has given the ‘ok’,” he said.
Real Madrid and Real Betis, both with eighteen, are the two teams from the five major European leagues that play the most matches with a rest period of less than 72 hours between them, followed by Tottenham Hotspur and Real Sociedad, both with 15 each, according to data provided by BeSoccer Pro for EFE.
Now a new controversy has arisen over the issue of rest days. La Liga has released the schedule for matchday 33, pending confirmation of one match, either Atlético or Barcelona. That is to say, the team that goes through to the final of the Copa del Rey will play on Tuesday, April 22 at 21:30. The losing team will close the day on Thursday the 24th at 21:30. Therefore, Real Madrid or Real Sociedad will enjoy one less day of rest before the Copa del Rey final since both play on a Wednesday.
Real Madrid will play their match on Wednesday, April 23 at 21:30 at the Coliseum against Getafe. Real Sociedad will play their match on the same day at the same time at Mendizorroza, and both will play their matches away from home, while their possible Cup rival will play at home.