La Liga president contradicts Ancelotti after strong statement

Last Wednesday, Real Madrid found themselves in an intense battle against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16.

The match at the Santiago Bernabéu was a grueling encounter that extended into extra time and was ultimately decided by a dramatic penalty shootout. After enduring 120 minutes of exhausting football and the emotional toll of penalties, Carlo Ancelotti’s team managed to secure their place in the quarter-finals. However, their celebrations were short-lived, as just 66 hours later, they were back on the pitch for a crucial La Liga fixture against Villarreal.

Despite securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory in that match, Ancelotti was visibly frustrated with the scheduling, making his feelings clear in the post-match press conference. “This is the last time we will play a match with less than 72 hours of rest. We requested twice for La Liga to reschedule the match, but nothing happened. This is the last time we accept this,” the Italian coach stated, clearly angered by what he perceived as a lack of consideration from the league organizers.

Ancelotti’s concerns are not without merit. The physical demands on modern footballers are higher than ever, with fixture congestion becoming a recurring issue for top clubs competing in multiple competitions. The lack of proper recovery time between matches increases the risk of injuries and fatigue, potentially affecting performance levels in key games. For Real Madrid, who are chasing both domestic and European success, such scheduling challenges could have serious consequences.

However, La Liga president Javier Tebas quickly dismissed Ancelotti’s claims, offering a direct rebuttal in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca. According to Tebas, Real Madrid never formally requested a change to their fixture against Villarreal. “Since the match was scheduled on February 25, we have not received any official request from Real Madrid to move the game,” Tebas stated. He further emphasized that La Liga has been accommodating in the past when clubs have requested schedule changes for recovery purposes, but that such changes are only considered when a formal request is submitted.

Tebas also clarified that the widely referenced 72-hour rest period between matches is not a strict requirement but rather a general guideline. La Liga follows its own scheduling policy, which guarantees teams a minimum of two full days between matches a standard that was met in Real Madrid’s case. This explanation, however, is unlikely to satisfy Ancelotti, who has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with how fixture congestion is managed, particularly for teams involved in European competitions.

The issue is not exclusive to Real Madrid. Barcelona will soon face a similar challenge after the international break. On Wednesday, April 9, they will play Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Just three days later, on Saturday, April 12, they will return to La Liga action against Leganés, before facing Dortmund again in the second leg on Tuesday, April 15. This tight scheduling could put Xavi’s squad under significant strain, much like it did with Real Madrid.

Ancelotti’s complaints highlight a broader issue in football, one that has been increasingly debated in recent years. With club competitions, international breaks, and continental tournaments all crowding the football calendar, elite players are being pushed to their physical limits. While leagues and governing bodies attempt to balance their schedules, clubs often feel that their needs are not being prioritized.

For Real Madrid, the scheduling controversy will be a frustrating distraction, but their ability to grind out a 2-1 victory against Villarreal despite the fatigue underscores the team’s resilience. The win keeps them in a strong position in La Liga, but the debate over fixture congestion and player welfare is far from over. As the season progresses and the stakes grow higher, tensions between clubs, league organizers, and governing bodies like UEFA and FIFA are likely to intensify, with managers like Ancelotti continuing to push for reforms to protect players from burnout.