“We are going beyond the limits”: Carlo Ancelotti railed on Wednesday at a press conference against the overloaded schedule that awaits Real Madrid – and many clubs in Europe – in the coming weeks, a “very serious subject” for the Madrid coach, who asks for a collective commitment “to change that”.
“We are not going to choose our matches, because in this club, it is not possible to choose your matches. But we will dose the players. It’s necessary. Why ? Because the schedule ahead of us is… incredible,” Ancelotti said on Wednesday, ahead of the late La Liga matchday 17 game against Valencia.
Question of health… and spectacle
“La Liga wants to organize its competitions, the federation too, Fifa and UEFA too… everyone does as they please. Result: Players cannot have rest days. Me too, sometimes it bothers me to have days off. But we have to think about the players. We have to stop for a moment and say to ourselves that if the players don’t rest, there is no more spectacle. It is a very serious subject, ”continued the Italian technician from Real.
“We are very enthusiastic about the idea of playing a King’s Cup semi-final against FC Barcelona, the Champions League round of 16 against Liverpool, a Club World Cup semi-final… motivates, and the players are also very enthusiastic about this idea. But there is a limit for everything. And there, with this calendar, we are going beyond the limits. All together, we must do something to change that, ”pleaded Carletto.
Two games a week non-stop for two months
Winner of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia in January and of the European Super Cup in August, Real Madrid are still engaged on all fronts this season: the championship, the national cup, the Club World Cup and the Champions League. Real played eight games in January, and will also play seven or eight games in February, two games a week non-stop for more than two months.