Emilio butragueno

UEFA Champions League Round: After Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti issued a warning towards La Liga claiming his side will not take the pitch if they are made to play two games in a period of less than 72 hours, La Liga president Javier Tebas pointed out that Los Blancos will be playing in a period shorter than 72 hours in the coming weeks due to their own demands.

The president claims that Madrid's first game after the international break, on March 29, against Leganes was originally scheduled for an earlier time but director Emilio Butragueno spoke with La Liga regarding changing the Matchday 29 game to a later time, giving their side less time to regroup for the Copa Del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad on April 1. It is assumed that Madrid asked for a later kick-off time to give the South American players returning from international duty more time to rest.

“Carlo, I'm sure Emilio told you that LaLiga had scheduled the next matchday of Leganés for Saturday at 4:15 PM to give you more time before the semi-final against Real Sociedad. But Emilio asked LaLiga's competition director to change it to 9:00 PM—surely with your knowledge and authorization, I imagine—to benefit those coming from the FIFA round. And now we have less than 72 hours between the final whistle of Saturday's match and the start of Tuesday's semi-final! May the best qualify for the final!! Greetings,” read the post by Tebas on X.