Has Madrid’s calendar been tougher?

Jose Mourinho complained that Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Real Betis this weekend was the consequence of the fixture list. AS say he is incorrect.

After Madrid’s 1-0 defeat, the Portuguese drew attention towards the timing of the fixture, pointing to the fact that ‘other teams have more control over the fixture schedule’.

The implication was that playing on the Wednesday night away to Manchester City and on the Saturday night away to Real Betis was a disadvantage not faced by others.

Madrid-based publication AS have assumed that this is in reference to Barcelona, who played in Russia on Tuesday night and then in Levante on Sunday.

However, their own study into the fixture list played out so far suggests that Mourinho is incorrect in suggesting Madrid have had a rough deal.

AS have it that back in mid-September the roles were reversed, with Barca playing Wednesday-Saturday and Madrid Tuesday-Sunday, with their Sunday fixture also being delayed to the Monday, due to the blackout at Vallecas.

The publication also say that the teams have seen equal treatment after international breaks, whilst the first 13 rounds of action have seen Barca play six Sundays and seven Saturdays and Madrid play six Saturdays and seven Sundays, with La Blaugrana taking four 10pm local time kick-offs to Los Blancos’s three.

Tags mourinho
La Liga - Club News