Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has once again voiced his concerns about the demanding fixture calendar and its impact on his players.

Rodrygo (L) of Real Madrid vies with Pablo Barrios of Atletico de Madrid during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg football match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid in Madrid, Spain, on March 12, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Ancelotti made the comments after his side's 2-1 win away to Villarreal last Saturday, which followed a grueling Wednesday night Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid. He emphasized that his team would refuse to play if they did not have at least 72 hours of recovery time between matches.

Speaking in Italy, where he received the Tommaso Maestrelli award, Ancelotti reiterated the physical toll the season is taking on his squad as Real Madrid pursues a domestic and European treble - comprising the Copa del Rey, La Liga, and Champions League.

"We have a never-ending end to the season ahead of us, with a very demanding calendar, which puts players at risk of injury," said Ancelotti, who added that he believed "the institutions should intervene to manage things better."

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