Carlo Ancelotti hit the packed football calendar with the Real Madrid side facing Villarreal tomorrow, less than 72 hours after Their exhausting Champions League wins over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.
Madrid required sanctions to overcome the city’s opponents, though much of the catering later concerned the controversial decision to ban Julian Alvarez’s spot-kick, after it was found to have touched the ball twice.
It was a long and emotional night and Ancelotti is frustrated that his players will not take any more time to rest in front of another crisis match in the title race.
He said: “I don’t understand, but we can’t do anything. The minimum (blank) is 72 hours. I don’t understand it … but it’s the calendar here.
“The right of television is prioritized, not the recovery of players.
“Since January we haven’t stopped for a moment, playing every three days. Tomorrow’s game is the 21st or 22nd (this calendar year). It’s too much. Even for me, who doesn’t play.
“Preparing a game every three days … players have no time to recover. But what can be done? All that is possible is to stop, but it cannot be done. ”
💨 @Bellinghamjude
💨 @David_alaba pic.twitter.com/wqlqrxy79o– Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 14 2025
The Italian admitted that the brief recovery would probably affect their approach to the game.
“Tomorrow we should make an excellent effort,” he added. “We can’t have the energy and freshness, because we don’t have enough time for it. But we have to put a good attitude, play a smart game. There are many ways to win, to defend well, for example.”
It is another difficult test for one side of Madrid that has not been removed from home in La Liga since January 25, losing to Espanyol and Real Betis and designing in Osasuna.
The fifth affair will try to rejuvenate their hopes of ending at a Champions League qualifications after the loss of Alaves last weekend.
News team for Villarreal Against Real Madrid
Ancelotti confirmed that Vinicius Jr had been given an additional day of rest following his sluggish performance against Atleti, which included him to trigger a second high and wide penalty.
International Brazil has been criticized for his appearance at Metropolitano, but his coach was quick to support one of his star.
Ancelotti said: “He can play better or worse games, but he is unquestionable. If he sometimes does not play well or fails … I do not disagree. He was so important to this club that I cannot discuss it.”
Madrid will have the same team for the Villarreal trip, with the exception of the defender Ferland Mendy, which could lose four weeks with a hamstring problem.
Fran Garcia is expected to be replenished while 39 -year -old Luka Modric is likely to rest. This could mean that Fede Valverde returns to the middle section with Lucas Vazquez playing right.
Villarreal has not reported any new concerns about injuries, but Gerard Moreno and Ilias Akhomach remain outstretched.
Villarreal: Conde; Foyth, Kambwala, Costa, S Cardona. Pino, Gueye, Parejo, Baena. Pepe, perez
Real Madrid: Courtois; Vazquez, Assncio, Rudigger, F Garcia. Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham. Rodrygo, mbape, vinicius jr
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