A dangerous madness. This is how Madrid’s ‘AS‘ describes the horror of the season awaiting Real. It is the biggest, most glamorous club that attracts the most attention, but also the one that suffers the most, as it could end up playing as many as 72 games in less than a year! As if it were an NBA team. The new cycle for the Spanish giant will begin on August 14th when they face Atalanta in Warsaw in an attempt to win the UEFA Super Cup. And since it is a club that always strives for trophies and generally ends up in finals, it is logical that many see it as a candidate for the club world champion title, with the final of that competition scheduled for July 13, 2025. So, in a period of 334 days, Los Blancos could be playing non-stop.Leny Yoro – Man United’s slap in Real Madrid’s faceThe main “culprits” for this schedule are UEFA and FIFA. The European football governing body has restructured the Champions League, and instead of 32 teams in the group stage, there will be 36, with the note that each team will play eight group matches, and the teams ranked from ninth to 24th place will play a playoff for a spot in the round of 16. Okay, many expect Real to be first, but this possibility must also be considered, which would bring additional matches. Besides that, another match awaits them in the Intercontinental Cup final, and an additional five, if they go all the way, in the new Club World Cup organized by the global football governing body.Then there’s the Copa del Rey (six matches if they reach the final), the Spanish Super Cup (semi-final and final), and on top of that, 38 matches in La Liga. Don’t forget that Real will have to travel outside Europe several times because the Spanish Super Cup is played in Saudi Arabia, the Intercontinental Cup is always played outside the Old Continent, and the FIFA Club World Cup will be held in the United States (from June 15 to July 13). Potentially 72 matches in 334 days. As ‘AS‘ notes, this is a grueling marathon.”This is unfeasible. Last season I played 55 matches and already feel drained, and just looking at what awaits us in the upcoming season. This schedule is unsustainable, the quality of play will drop, it’s impossible to offer the audience the same level of enjoyment every three days“ Real captain Dani Carvajal raised his voice.Now it’s official: Another year at the Bernabeu for Luka ModricCoach Carlo Ancelotti, of course, supports him. He even said that it’s not a problem to reduce salaries as long as the competition calendar is adjusted to the players’ health. Pep Guardiola spoke in a similar tone.”They force us to travel to Asia, the United States, to play very tough matches, practically derbies. People are collapsing and will continue to collapse because ‘the show must go on.’ If Courtois can’t play, they’ll put someone else; if Militao gets injured, someone will step in his place; if De Bruyne is injured, someone else will show up. It’s a losing battle until players stand up and say: ‘We’re not playing.’ UEFA and FIFA do not organize meetings on this topic. Nothing. The institutions don’t care. It’s not just about the players. They don’t care if Guardiola is tired either, because someone else will come” the Manchester City head coach said. However, as he pointed out, no one listens to him. Or pays attention. Profit has imposed itself as the main category, and who cares about health. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8228703##
