Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has criticized the “too demanding” football calendar for contributing to the club’s growing injury list and is calling for a reduction in the number of games.
Jude Bellingham has just returned after a month-long absence due to a leg muscle injury, and Aurelien Tchouameni has also come back from a shorter spell on the sidelines. However, Madrid are still missing midfielders Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos.
Brahim Diaz is out for the rest of 2024, and David Alaba is slowly recovering from an ACL injury. Last week, Madrid were relieved to find out that Eder Militao’s international duty withdrawal wasn’t due to a serious injury.
Ancelotti pointed out that the issue lies not with what Madrid can do but with the overall football schedule.
“We’ve examined what we can do, but it’s beyond our control,” Ancelotti said ahead of Madrid’s upcoming eight-game Champions League league phase.
“The problem is a calendar that’s too demanding. With the new Champions League format, we have two extra games. I urge for a rethink of the number of games to make competitions more appealing.”
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has echoed similar concerns about the expanded calendar, suggesting that player welfare was not adequately considered.
The Champions League has expanded from 32 to 36 teams, with a single league table where each team will face eight opponents. The top eight will advance directly to the last 16, while those from ninth to 24th will enter an additional knockout play-off round.
This means teams could play up to ten games to reach the last 16, compared to the previous six.
In addition to La Liga, Copa del Rey, and other domestic competitions, Madrid will also participate in the revamped FIFA Club World Cup and the new FIFA Intercontinental Cup, potentially bringing their total games to 71 this season.
