Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti stated on Saturday that his team will not play another match with less than 72 hours of rest.
Los Blancos secured a penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night before claiming a 2-1 win against Villarreal on Saturday, with kickoff at 16:30 GMT.
“I think today is the last time we will play a game before 72 hours (of rest),” Ancelotti told reporters.
“We will never play another game (without) 72 hours of rest.
“We asked La Liga twice to change the time of the game and they did not do anything, this is the last time.”
World football governing body FIFA recommends at least 72 hours between matches in order to protect the health of the players.
“I am very proud of this team,” continued Ancelotti.
“It was a potential banana skin, above all for what has happened, the (few) hours of rest, and the strength of the opponent.”
French striker Kylian Mbappe scored twice to propel Real Madrid to the top of La Liga, ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Ancelotti has frequently voiced concerns over the congested football calendar, especially with Madrid set to participate in the expanded Club World Cup in the United States this summer.