Ancelotti Fumes as League Denies Request to Reschedule Villarreal Clash
Real Madrid’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Villarreal on Saturday has been overshadowed by a heated dispute over fixture scheduling, with La Liga firmly rejecting the club’s claims that they requested the match be moved. Just three days prior to the Villarreal clash, Los Blancos endured a grueling 120-minute Champions League battle against Atletico Madrid, leaving players exhausted and the club frustrated by the lack of recovery time.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti voiced his anger in a post-match press conference, revealing that Real Madrid had asked for the fixture to be rescheduled to allow players more rest. However, La Liga has since denied these claims, telling Marca that no such request was ever made by the club. This disagreement marks the latest chapter in an ongoing tension between Real Madrid and football authorities, with La Liga insisting the scheduling adhered to their guidelines and the rules of the Spanish Football Federation.
Ancelotti, however, remains defiant. The Italian manager criticized the decision and even threatened to withdraw his team from future La Liga matches if they are scheduled with insufficient rest. “This is unacceptable for the players’ health and performance,” he said. “We cannot keep pushing them to their limits without proper recovery time.”
For now, such a scenario is unlikely to repeat this season. Real Madrid’s upcoming Champions League quarter-final tie against Arsenal is one of the “long” ties scheduled by UEFA, with an eight-day gap between the two legs. In contrast, Barcelona face a tighter turnaround in their clash against Borussia Dortmund, with just six days between matches—forcing them into a similar situation to the one that has sparked Real Madrid’s outrage.
Despite the off-field controversy, Real Madrid’s victory over Villarreal showcased their resilience. Kylian Mbappe’s brace and a determined team performance ensured the three points, keeping them firmly in the La Liga title race. However, Ancelotti’s strong stance highlights the growing tension between clubs and governing bodies over player welfare and fixture congestion, a debate that shows no signs of slowing down.
As the season enters its decisive phase, Real Madrid will aim to put the controversy behind them and focus on their pursuit of silverware. But with Ancelotti’s warning ringing loud and clear, the club has made it known they will not hesitate to challenge authorities when it comes to protecting their players.
Similar Posts:
- Ancelotti Takes a Stand: Real Madrid to Boycott Games Without 72-Hour Rest
- Real Madrid Boss Carlo Ancelotti Faces Tax Fraud Trial With Possible 4-Year Prison Sentence
- Real Madrid Clinches 15th Champions League Title, Ancelotti and Players Hungry for More
- Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe Lead Real Madrid to 2-0 Victory Over Real Sociedad
- Ancelotti speaks after Real Madrid’s hammering by Manchester City
