Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has not held back on what he believes to be unfair scheduling for his side as they head into the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Los Rojiblancos will face Real Madrid on Sunday night, and then Athletic Club in the first leg of their semi-final on Wednesday at the Metropolitano. However Athletic have Real Mallorca at home on Friday night, giving the Basque side two days extra rest.
“I interpret it as a fan. They don’t respect them,” Simeone said of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), who have turned down Atletico’s request to be moved to Thursday in order to give them extra rest.
“It’s not that they don’t respect Atletico, but rather the fan, because it was already known before playing against Sevilla that it was going to happen, and Athletic or Barcelona were going to play at the weekend. If in such an important semi-final for Spain, the Federation decides that a team has 48 more hours to prepare, it seems unfair to me. One day is understandable, but what is the difference between us playing on Wednesday or Thursday? None. They don’t want to change it, I consider it, a lack of respect for our fans. That does not mean to say that we will win or not, it will not be determined by of that, but because of a question of respect and the Atletico fan who wants his players to arrive in the best shape. If one team has five days and another three, I get angry,” he told Marca.
🎙️ Diego Simeone: "I'm very happy for Memphis [Depay] because he's been working with a lot of enthusiasm and dedication. Today, he played 90 minutes, and I'm pleased that he finished well and also scored." pic.twitter.com/inZbKe5Mdt
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) January 31, 2024
He wasn’t the only one to express his frustration, with Mario Hermoso also airing his grievances.
“The hours at which we play often become complicated also for the people who want to support us, who live during the week to see Atleti play and we notice that fatigue, the accumulation of games and we have a long time left in the season. February is very intense with games, opponents, competitions… We as players, professionals and athletes try to do our best when we have to compete, but they should give us a hand, take care of the athlete, the show and when you have more time to rest the level is higher.”
Of course the central figure in this that is not mentioned is the money. The RFEF have not issued a statement, but the TV slot on a Wednesday night is likely the reason for their scheduling. On the other hand, the overcrowding of the schedule is another issue that deservedly has brought plenty of criticism, but until clubs or players are willing to earn less money in exchange for more rest, it seems unlikely the television companies will ease up on their schedule demands, unless collective action is taken.
