Javier Tebas (La Liga) hits Real Madrid hard before Arsenal: terrible news for Ancelotti

As the anticipation builds towards Real Madrid’s crucial second-leg Champions League quarter-final clash against Arsenal, a shadow of controversy has been cast over the club’s preparations. In a move that has been met with dismay by the Real Madrid hierarchy and a sense of bewilderment by many within the Spanish footballing community, Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has reportedly made a decision that directly impacts Carlo Ancelotti’s squad in the lead-up to this pivotal European encounter.

While Real Madrid are understandably focused on doing everything within their power to overturn the deficit against Arsenal and secure a coveted place in the Champions League semi-finals, the timing of their domestic league fixture has become a significant point of contention. The club had made a formal request to La Liga to bring forward their scheduled match against Alavès, initially set for Sunday evening, to Thursday. This request was a logical one, aimed at providing Ancelotti’s players with an extra day of much-needed rest and recovery before the high-stakes Champions League showdown at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The rationale behind Real Madrid’s request was sound and mirrored the practices often seen in other top European leagues, where governing bodies typically prioritize the well-being of their clubs competing in continental competitions. Arsenal, Real Madrid’s opponents in the Champions League, were already scheduled to play their respective league match on Saturday, thus benefiting from an additional day of rest and preparation. Real Madrid’s plea was simply to level the playing field in terms of recovery time.

However, in a decision that has been widely interpreted as a snub to the Spanish giants, La Liga, under the leadership of Javier Tebas, has reportedly rejected Real Madrid’s request. Instead of accommodating the needs of a club that, regardless of any internal disagreements, remains a prominent ambassador for Spanish football on the European stage, Tebas has decided to keep the match against Alavès firmly scheduled for Sunday evening.

This decision has been met with considerable criticism within Spain, with many arguing that it represents a setback for Spanish football as a whole. In leagues such as the English Premier League, for instance, significant efforts are often made to assist clubs participating in European competitions by ensuring they have adequate rest periods between matches. The refusal to grant Real Madrid’s request stands in stark contrast to this supportive approach.

The timing of the Alavès match, just three days before the crucial Champions League fixture, will undoubtedly place a significant physical strain on Real Madrid’s players. The intensity of both La Liga and Champions League matches demands peak physical condition, and the lack of sufficient recovery time could potentially hinder Real Madrid’s chances of performing at their optimal level against Arsenal.

This situation is further exacerbated by the fact that Real Madrid has already been out of action since Tuesday evening, meaning that by the time they face Arsenal on Wednesday, they will have had a significant gap between matches regardless. The request to play their league game on Saturday would have provided a more balanced and beneficial rest period, aligning more closely with Arsenal’s schedule.

The underlying tension between Javier Tebas and Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, is no secret within Spanish football. The two have often clashed on various issues, ranging from broadcasting rights to the controversial European Super League project. It appears that this strained relationship may have played a role in La Liga’s decision to deny Real Madrid’s request, with some suggesting that Tebas may be prioritizing his personal disagreements with Pérez over the best interests of a Spanish club competing in Europe.

The consequences of this decision will now fall upon Carlo Ancelotti and his coaching staff, particularly his son and assistant, Davide Ancelotti, who is expected to be on the bench for the match against Alavès. They will face the challenging task of carefully managing the players’ workload and selecting a team that can secure a positive result against Alavès while also ensuring that key players are fresh and ready for the crucial encounter with Arsenal.

Davide Ancelotti will likely need to consider rotating the squad for the Alavès match, giving valuable playing time to those players who may be lacking in rhythm while also ensuring that the core group of players who will be crucial against Arsenal are not overburdened. Finding the right balance will be a delicate act, as Real Madrid will undoubtedly want to maintain their momentum in La Liga while prioritizing their Champions League ambitions.

The task facing Real Madrid against Arsenal is already a daunting one, given that they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat in the first leg in London. As midfielder Toni Kroos himself acknowledged, overturning such a significant deficit will be a complicated mission. However, the spirit within the Real Madrid camp remains one of determination and belief, and they will undoubtedly fight until the very end to try and secure a place in the Champions League semi-finals.

The decision by Javier Tebas and La Liga has added an unnecessary layer of difficulty to Real Madrid’s preparations for this crucial European tie. While the club will undoubtedly remain focused on the task at hand, the lack of consideration for their needs in the context of a major European competition has been widely criticized.

Ultimately, the focus will now shift to the pitch, where Real Madrid will need to summon all their experience, quality, and determination to try and overcome both the deficit against Arsenal and the disadvantage created by the scheduling of their domestic league fixture. The footballing world will be watching with keen interest to see how Carlo Ancelotti and his team respond to these challenges.