Real Madrid is in the middle of internal unrest after the publication of the schedules for Matchday 12 of LaLiga. The Federation announced that the club will play on Saturday, November 7, at 9:00 p.m., at the Mestalla against Valencia, a date that has generated discontent both in the locker room and in the white team's board of directors.
The root of the conflict lies in the proximity of international and national meetings. On November 4, Real Madrid faces AEK in Athens at 6:45 p.m., and the club believes that traveling to Greece, both there and back, reduces recovery time before the league match. In addition, the club maintains that the rest of the teams participating in the Champions League on that same day play on Sunday, which would give them more time to rest.
LaLiga, for its part, maintains that Saturday's schedule complies with the regulations of 72 hours of rest between games. According to the organization, the interval between the start of the match in Athens and that of the Mestalla exceeds that margin, which guarantees adequate recovery time for the players. The league's decision is based on the need to balance European competition with the domestic league, while maintaining the integrity of the schedules.
Real Madrid have expressed their frustration with the decision, arguing that the trip to Greece and the subsequent match at the Mestalla in a single weekend represents a significant physical burden. The club highlights the importance of respecting schedules that favor the recovery and performance of the players, especially in such a demanding season.
With the calendar already set, the club will have to plan its logistics and preparation for the two games in such a short time. The board and coaching staff are working to minimize the impact on the team's performance and ensure that the players arrive at the match against Valencia in the best possible condition. The next step will be the tactical and physical preparation to face both the duel in Athens and the league match at the Mestalla, while the club seeks to maintain competitiveness in both competitions.