Real Madrid Refuses to Play Without 72 Hours of Rest Between Matches

Coach Carlo Ancelotti criticizes LaLiga scheduling after a grueling week leaves players physically drained.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti announced that the team will no longer participate in matches scheduled with less than 72 hours of rest, citing player health concerns.
The decision comes after a 2-1 LaLiga win against Villarreal, played just 66 hours after a 120-minute Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.
Ancelotti and the club had twice requested LaLiga to reschedule the Villarreal match to allow more recovery time, but no changes were made.
FIFA guidelines recommend a minimum of 72 hours between matches to safeguard players' physical well-being, which Real Madrid plans to enforce going forward.
Despite the tight schedule, Kylian Mbappe scored both goals in the Villarreal match, helping Real Madrid reclaim the top spot in LaLiga with a three-point lead over Barcelona, who have two games in hand.