The war Mourinho started at Real 14 years ago has yet to end

La Liga fixture controversy is nothing new for Real Madrid. Last weekend, the Royal team was frustrated by not being given a full 72 hours rest before the match against Villarreal, which created a heated debate.

However, this is not the first time Real Madrid have faced this problem. 14 years ago, Jose Mourinho was the first to publicly criticize the fixture arrangement, which he believed favored Barcelona.

Mourinho once started a "time war" with La Liga. Photo: Reuters.

Mourinho started the war

In February 2011, when Mourinho was still in charge at Real Madrid, he made harsh statements about the match schedule after a 0-0 draw against Deportivo in round 25 of La Liga.

"The fixtures are arranged by people who know what they are doing. After a match in Europe, we should have played on Sunday. But they decided we would play on Saturday. They have been doing this since the beginning of the season and they laugh at me," said the Portuguese tactician.

At the time, Real Madrid played Lyon in the Champions League on Tuesday night, but played La Liga on Saturday. Conversely, Barcelona, also in the Champions League on the same day, played on Sunday. This arrangement led Mourinho to believe that Barcelona benefited from the fixture schedule, giving them an advantage in the title race.

Three games later, when Real Madrid faced Hercules, Mourinho was again frustrated by the fact that Barcelona had benefited from the fixture list. Barcelona played Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday and Sevilla on Sunday. Meanwhile, Real Madrid faced Lyon on Wednesday, but quickly moved on to face Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Mourinho fumed: "There is a team that plays in the Champions League on Tuesday and only plays La Liga on Sunday. Meanwhile, another team plays on Wednesday but plays again on Saturday. Barcelona play Arsenal at home, then have four days off before playing Sevilla. And us? Play on Wednesday and play again on Saturday. That is a privilege we don't have."

Many Real players were exhausted after playing two matches only 66 hours apart. Photo: Reuters .

Mourinho responded

Mourinho did not express his anger with words. Instead, he protested with actions on the pitch. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas revealed that the team did not train before the derby with Atletico Madrid - a move to protest the match schedule.

When asked about this decision, Mourinho sarcastically said: "Maybe only Iker is focused. Or maybe we won't come to the stadium at all. If they want to end the season this way, maybe we should also give them a hand."

Real Madrid went on to win 2-1 against Atletico Madrid, but Mourinho left a hidden message. When asked about his tactics, he replied: "If they don't give me another day off, I'll add a defensive midfielder to the squad."

Fourteen years later, Real Madrid are again facing a similar problem. Coach Carlo Ancelotti, like Mourinho before him, is also unhappy that his team has to play just 66 hours after a 120-minute match against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

After the match against Villarreal on March 16, many Real Madrid players appeared exhausted. Kylian Mbappe even exclaimed: "I'm dead tired". Coach Ancelotti continuously criticized the harsh schedule.

Real Madrid have announced they will not play without at least 72 hours of rest, sparking a major debate over La Liga's fixture schedule.

Will Real Madrid really make a change this time, or will they continue to adapt to the same harsh schedule as in the past? The answer is still open, but clearly, the "time war" that Mourinho once started has no end.