Carlo Ancelotti has vowed that Real Madrid will refuse to play matches with less than 72 hours of rest in the future, after his side battled fatigue to secure a 2-1 comeback victory over Villarreal on Sunday.
Madrid, fresh off a draining Champions League quarter-final clash with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, where they needed a penalty shootout to progress, looked physically spent at Estadio de la Cerámica.
However, Kylian Mbappe’s brace ensured Los Blancos extended their lead at the top of LaLiga.
“I think today is the last time we will play a game before 72 hours [of rest]. We will never play a game with less than that,” Ancelotti declared in his post-match press conference.
“The team is exhausted, but that was to be expected. It’s a victory that says a lot about our squad and the resources we have.”
Madrid had raised concerns over their fixture congestion with LaLiga authorities but, according to Ancelotti, had yet to receive a response.
With the win, Real sit atop the table with 60 points, three ahead of second-placed Barcelona, who have a game in hand after their postponed fixture against Osasuna.
Barcelona now turn their focus to a showdown with third-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday, but Ancelotti insists he won’t be paying too much attention to the outcome.
“The important thing for us was to win today,” he said. “Tomorrow I will watch the game, but as a football fan. The result doesn’t matter.”
Despite Madrid’s resilience, Ancelotti’s frustration with the packed schedule is evident.
With crucial domestic and European fixtures ahead, the Italian coach will be hoping for more favorable scheduling to keep his squad fresh in the decisive months of the season.
