Real Madrid are growing increasingly frustrated with the late kick-off times of their away fixtures this season.
According to a report from AS, the club is struggling to cope with the impact these schedules have on the players’ recovery and preparation for subsequent matches.
In fact, the pattern of late-night games, followed by long journeys back to Madrid, is becoming a significant concern for the team.
“We are fed up with the fact that every time we play a game outside Madrid, we don’t get home until 3:00 a.m. … hopefully,” said a club source.
“And the next day, to train! If it is already difficult to rest with so many games, imagine with these schedules,” he added.
A look at the facts
Out of the 13 away matches played by Real Madrid this season, only one started before 21:00. This exception was their encounter with Leganes, where the game kicked off at 18:30.
For all other matches, the start times have been no earlier than 21:00, with some even beginning as late as 21:30, like the match against Las Palmas.
Real Madrid are not happy about their away fixtures. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Additionally, their Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca in Qatar had a slightly earlier start time of 20:00, but that was still far from ideal given the time zone differences and travel involved.
What’s next for Madrid?
The schedule for upcoming matches offers little relief for the team. Real Madrid will face Deportiva Minera in the Copa del Rey at 19:00, marking one of the rare occasions with an earlier kick-off.
However, their next La Liga clash against Valencia is scheduled for 21:00, continuing the trend of late-night games.
The repeated late fixtures are causing concern within the club. The players return to Madrid in the early hours of the morning, often around 3:00 a.m., leaving minimal time for rest before training the next day.
In La Liga, it seems unlikely that the scheduling pattern will change anytime soon. Late kick-offs have become the norm for Real Madrid’s games, especially when playing away.
For fans visiting their home stadium or tuning in to away matches, a 21:00 start time has almost become a certainty. This has turned into an unwritten rule of their season, leaving little room for flexibility.