Real Madrid upset with La Liga over scheduling of Villarreal clash | OneFootball

According to AS, Real Madrid are extremely frustrated and upset with La Liga’s decision to schedule their match against Villarreal on Saturday, March 15, at 18:30 (CET).

With the Champions League quarter-final derby between Real Madrid and Atlético set for Wednesday, March 12, 21:00 CET, one of the two teams will be eliminated after an intense, high-stakes battle. The physical and mental toll of that game will be immense.

Yet, under the current schedule, Ancelotti’s side will have only two full days to recover before facing Villarreal, a demanding away fixture

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will play each other at the Metropolitano on Sunday, March 16, at 21:00 (CET), enjoying an extra day to recover, leaving Real Madrid at a significant disadvantage.

Beyond the short recovery time, the early evening kickoff at 18:30 adds another layer of difficulty for Real Madrid.

The team will need to take an early morning flight to Villarreal, arriving just in time for lunch at 13:00, which disrupts their pre-match routine and digestion process. Internally, the Merengues consider this scheduling choice an unnecessary burden.

Ancelotti airs his frustration

Atletico Madrid get a day’s rest more than Real Madrid. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Real Madrid’s frustrations were echoed by Carlo Ancelotti in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Copa del Rey clash against Real Sociedad:

“We ask ourselves why they did not schedule our match, which is already a very difficult away game against a strong Villarreal side, for Sunday at 18:30. Then they say we complain too much,” he said.

“They never give us a break. Competing under these conditions is impossible.”

The Italian coach also criticised the intense fixture congestion, highlighting the overwhelming schedule his team has faced:

“Considering the absurd calendar we have, we are doing very well. In just 52 days, it feels like when I used to play – 17 matches in that time. Incredible. I am exhausted just talking about it, and so are you. You need rest. We need rest…,” he noted.

With a grueling schedule, a title race in full swing, and crucial European fixtures ahead, Real Madrid believe La Liga’s decision is unfair and hinders their ability to compete on equal terms.