- Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Villarreal at Benito Villamarin on Saturday
- Carlo Ancelloti threatened his side will not show up without a 72-hour recovery
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Carlo Ancelotti threatened LaLiga to boycott future games after Real Madrid concluded their 2-1 away victory against Villarreal on Saturday.
The Italian specialist appeared clearly frustrated that Los Blancos were forced to feature at Benito Villamarin despite playing a 120-minute clash against rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Although the Galacticos secured a challenging yet crucial win, Ancelotti warned the Spanish first-division that the team would not show up for another game without at least a 72-hour recovery.
The Madrid coach started the press conference by praising his players, saying: ‘The explanation is that this team has something special, character, commitment, but they can’t always do it, sometimes I even get angry with them.
‘We have to thank these players for their tremendous effort since January 3rd. Even more so today.
‘It’s the last time we’ll play before 72 hours. We’ll never do it again. We’ve asked LaLiga to change the schedule twice, and nothing has happened. It’s the last time.’
Carlo Ancelotti threatened to boycott future LaLiga games after Real Madrid were forced to feature against Villarreal on Saturday
It comes after the team claimed a victory in a challenging 120-minute game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday
The Italian specialist highlighted his players were exhausted and they will not show up for future games without a 72-hour recovery
Despite featuring a strong starting squad against their rivals just on Wednesday, Ancelotti could not rotate the team today, considering the league standings.
Los Blancos are currently first in the LaLiga table with 60 points, while Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have their one game in hand on Sunday night.
Furthermore, Barcelona have another extra game following the postponement against Osasuna a week ago.
‘It was a trap game, because of everything that happened, because of the hours of rest and because of the strength of the opponent, who are a good team, but we watered down physically, added the Italian manager.
‘The team ended up exhausted, it’s quite normal. It’s a victory that says a lot about this team and the resources of this squad.’
It comes after the Galacticos secured their qualification to the Champions League quarter-finals over a dramatic penalty shootout.
While all four Madrid players scored their attempts, former academy product Marcus Llorente missed his shot – as did Julian Alvarez over a controversial VAR decision.
However, on Saturday, although they conceded first after Juan Foyth got on the scoresheet with a left-foot strike following a corner kick, Ancelotti’s men quickly overturned the situation.
Madrid secured a 2-1 win at Benito Villamarin as Kylian Mbappe scored a brace in the first half, coming closer to Robert Lewandowski in the goalscoring rankings
Now, Ancelotti’s men await Barcelona’s away game against Atletico Madrid on Sunday night
Kylian Mbappe equalised and then gave the lead for his team in the 17th and 23rd minute respectively.
Vinicius Junior remained on the bench initially following his disappointing display against Atletico in the Champions League, when the Brazilian star missed a crucial penalty that could have avoided the extra-time.
‘It was important for us to win today,’ added Ancelotti. ‘I’m going to watch Atleti-Barca, of course.
‘It will be very entertaining as a fan. Tomorrow I’ll be a football fan. And nothing else.’
