Thibaut Courtois, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, recently voiced his concerns about the team's demanding fixture schedule, particularly after their recent match against Villarreal. The game on March 16 was a significant battle for the club, as it followed close on the heels of their intense Champions League match against Atlético Madrid just 72 hours prior. This tight schedule has raised flags for both players and management about player welfare and recovery time.
Courtois did not hold back his disappointment, saying, "What they showed Real Madrid this week is disrespectful." His frustration appeared to focus on the short turnaround time between high-stakes matches, highlighting his belief the league should be more accommodating to the players' physical needs. He suggested adopting scheduling formats similar to Belgium or the Premier League, which often feature "Super Sundays." Courtois argued, "I understand La Liga wants the three big teams to play separately, but sometimes that's not possible." He urged for consideration of the players' well-being, which has been directly impacted by back-to-back fixtures.
Meanwhile, Fran Garcia, Real Madrid's defender, emphasized teamwork and sacrifice among the squad during their 2-1 victory over Villarreal. Garcia acknowledged the mental and physical fatigue following such demanding fixtures, noting, "The body needs to rest." His comments underscored the pressure players face when they must perform continuously without adequate recovery.
Real Madrid's recent La Liga victory against Villarreal marked their first win at La Ceramica since 2017, consoliditing their position at the top of the table—three points clear of Barcelona and four points ahead of Atlético Madrid, who are both pivotal opponents this season. This win was credited primarily to Kylian Mbappe, who scored twice within six minutes, and the impressive showings from Courtois, who made several key saves. The Belgian goalkeeper finished the match with nine saves, showcasing his ability to remain composed under pressure.
Despite the euphoric victory, the whirlwind week was filled with controversy, primarily stemming from their Champions League match against Atlético Madrid. Real Madrid had to endure the disappointment of being forced to extra time and penalties to secure their progression. Further intrigue emerged when the Atlético Madrid president, Enrique Cerezo, publicly criticized both Courtois and the VAR system used during the match, claiming it disenfranchised their chances of winning.
Cerezo addressed media following the tense Champions League tie, where he expressed frustration about Courtois celebrating his team’s victory. He remarked, "Courtois should shut up and calm down. He should be grateful he played for Atlético Madrid." This comment reflects Cerezo's deep disappointment over the outcome, as well as his critique of the officiatory process. He accused VAR of failing to serve its intended purpose, asserting, "The terrifying tool called VAR led to the destruction of one of our greatest dreams which was to continue in the Champions League." His criticism was directed toward the controversial decision to annul Julian Alvarez’s penalty due to an alleged double touch, which he felt unjustly hindered Atlético's prospects.
The focus on VAR continued as he noted, "I don’t like VAR, and I’ve always said this. I don’t criticize the referee for cancelling Alvarez’s penalty because it’s not the referee’s fault; it’s the VAR’s fault." Cerezo characterized the system as "unsafe" and lamented its impact on the fairness of the game.
Back within the Real Madrid camp, head coach Carlo Ancelotti addressed the growing concerns about fixture congestion. He has voiced the necessity for at least 72 hours of recovery between matches to allow his players to perform at their peak. He indicated his confusion about the schedule, stating, "I don’t understand it, but we can’t do anything about it," highlighting the frustration throughout their camp.
The tension around scheduling is compounded by the league's handling of player requests for changes. Ancelotti revealed they contacted La Liga twice to request modifications to the Villarreal game time, but officials reportedly denied these requests, claiming they were submitted too late. These developments drew mixed responses from the players, who expressed their relief at the upcoming international break, which will allow them time to recover from the packed match schedule.
Looking forward, Real Madrid’s next challenge lies with Leganés on March 29 after the international window, and the team will be eager to maintain their momentum moving forward. The current situation highlights how player fitness and scheduling conflicts can greatly influence team performance both on the pitch and beyond.
Courtois concluded by emphasizing the potential risks of over-exertion, stating, "I think it was disrespectful; maybe today we would have left with an injury." With voices echoing similar sentiments throughout the club, it remains to be seen how La Liga will respond to the call for more personal care within the extremely packed schedules.