Real Madrid's Bold Move on Match Schedules Yields Immediate Results

It was anticipated due to the scheduling of the Champions League quarter-finals, but it remains significant that Real Madrid's bold move has yielded immediate results. The team, which threatened through its coach not to play unless given more than 72 hours of rest, will face no issues at least in matchday 31 of LaLiga. This time, as expected, it will be Barça that does not have the recommended rest, although it is not mandated by current regulations.

LaLiga has released the schedule for this matchday, which falls between Real Madrid's ties against Arsenal and Barça's against Borussia Dortmund. On this occasion, Carlo Ancelotti, acting as the de facto spokesperson for Florentino Pérez's club, has no grounds for complaint. Madrid will play against Alavés in Mendizorroza on Sunday, April 13, at 16:15, allowing them more than three days of rest compared to their previous match, and they will also have this rest period before starting the return leg at the Bernabéu against Mikel Arteta's 'gunners'.

While the fact that the Champions League tie for the whites is the longer one, with the first leg on Tuesday and the return on the following Wednesday, allows for a more favourable schedule for Madrid, in this case, the organisation led by Javier Tebas acts reasonably by allowing Ancelotti's team to start the Champions League return leg with 75 hours between the end in Vitoria and the start at the Bernabéu.

It is worth recalling that the Italian coach, after the match at La Cerámica, threatened with a no-show if LaLiga scheduled another match for his team without at least 72 hours of rest between games. For now, in matchday 31, this will not happen with Madrid, as Barcelona will visit Leganés without that period.

Indeed, in the case of the Catalans, it was impossible to provide that rest because they play the first leg against Dortmund on Wednesday, April 9, while the return is on Tuesday, April 15. Flick's team will play in Butarque on Saturday, April 12, at 21:00, approximately 70 hours after the end of the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Once again, it is worth noting that this minimum 72-hour gap is not mandatory, contrary to what Real Madrid might believe in its ongoing battle with Tebas. No regulation, either Spanish or international, requires this period between matches. Instead, it is a recommendation from player unions, such as FIFPRO or AFE, which recently reinforced their stance following Real Madrid's complaints. However, neither the FEF, LaLiga, FIFA, nor UEFA mandate these rest hours, only that there are two empty days in between, as is the case in all scenarios.