Real Madrid says it won't play again without 72 hours of rest between matches
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti sits on the bench before a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Villarreal and Real Madrid in Villarreal, Spain, Saturday, March 15, 2025. Credit: AP/Alberto Saiz
MADRID — Real Madrid won’t agree to play another game without 72 hours of rest between matches.
The club made the announcement, which was confirmed by coach Carlo Ancelotti, after its 2-1 win at Villarreal on Saturday.
Madrid's game at Villarreal game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. local time (1730 GMT) on Saturday. Madrid had played a Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday that started at 9:00 p.m. and lasted 120 minutes plus a penalty shootout.
“This is the last time we will play within 72 hours,” Ancelotti said, before adding that the club had asked La Liga to push its game back to Sunday.
The club said it will consult with FIFA about the scheduling of this week's games.
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