Carlo Ancelotti: Real Madrid boss says squad will refuse to play with less than 72 hours rest - ‘This is the last time’

Real Madrid's success so far this season has left them with a busy title and UEFA Champions League run-in, giving them 66 hours between the end of their midweek shoot-out win over Atletico Madrid, and the start of their La Liga victory at Villarreal on Saturday. Speaking after the win, manager Carlo Ancelotti said his side would refuse to play any more games without proper rest periods.

Carlo Ancelotti claimed Real Madrid will no longer play any games without 72 hours of rest after the previous fixture.

Ancelotti’s men visited city rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening, where they were taken to extra-time and penalties as they ultimately triumphed in a gruelling UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg.

Just 66 hours later, they kicked off an away fixture at Villarreal in La Liga.

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Kylian Mbappe scored twice in six first-half minutes, helping the visitors to claim all three points after cancelling out Juan Foyth's seventh-minute opener for Villarreal. 

The result leaves Real Madrid three points ahead of Barcelona, though Hansi Flick's side sit in second place with two games in hand.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Real have suffered a defensive injury crisis this season, with Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao all out for lengthy periods, and it appears that the demands placed upon his players from a busy season provoked their manager in his post-match press conference.

Referencing a FIFA recommendation that players have a minimum of 72 hours' rest between games, the Italian said that his team would not play another game with less than three days off.

"This team has something special – character and commitment," Ancelotti began.

"We held our own physically. In the second half the team was exhausted, but that was normal. This victory speaks volumes about the team and the resources this squad has.

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"We have to thank these players for their tremendous effort since January 3. This is the last time we’ll play a game without 72 hours of rest. We asked La Liga to change it twice and nothing happened."

Drawn further on whether his squad would show up for a match scheduled without 72 hours' rest, Ancelotti responded: "No, of course not".

The La Liga champions will now enjoy a welcome break to their schedule, next facing Leganes on March 29 after the international break.

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