For the first time this season, Real Madrid will play a La Liga match without the 72-hour gap between official fixtures recommended by FIFA. Xabi Alonso’s side visit Girona on Sunday, November 30 at 21:00, and 70 hours later, on Wednesday, December 3 at 19:00, they are back on the pitch at San Mamés against Athletic, as noted by MARCA.

The adjustment stems from the reshuffling of La Liga matchday 19 due to the Spanish Super Cup, which will be played in Saudi Arabia by Real Madrid, Barça, Atlético and Athletic. As a result, those four teams’ league fixtures have been brought forward to December 2 and 3: Barça vs Atlético on Tuesday (21:00), Athletic vs Real Madrid on Wednesday (19:00).

Until now, Los Blancos had always had at least three days between official games, and the club treated that principle as non-negotiable. In March 2024, Real Madrid TV stated bluntly: “Real Madrid will never again play without 72 hours of rest. On this matter, the club will seek protection from FIFA.” Carlo Ancelotti also spoke publicly, reiterating the club’s line, MARCA recalls.

That message came after the team had to travel to face Villarreal just 66 hours after a Champions League derby against Atlético. The club called it “a La Liga overreach” and publicly urged compliance with FIFA’s recommendation — in place since March 2023 — of a minimum 72-hour interval between matches to protect players’ health.

Throughout this season that guideline had been respected, until La Liga’s newly announced schedule for the end of November and start of December. The away trip to Girona followed by the match at San Mamés will leave Real with less rest than anticipated, reopening the debate over balancing the calendar with player welfare, MARCA concludes.