The controversy is rife at the Metropolitano and in the offices of LaLiga with Javier Tebas at the helm. Atlético de Madrid will have a difficult month ahead, with big clashes and the start of the Champions League just around the corner. Although, if there is something that each of these games have in common, it is that they will be played at 9:00 p.m., a dynamic that seems to be the order of the day .
It is not in good taste for the red-and-white team that LaLiga chooses that the majority of its matches should be played late at night on Sundays. And the fact is that, according to the data offered by Atlético Stats , Atlético de Madrid played 37 of 54 matches last season after 9:00 p.m. However, the straw that broke the camel's back was the news that the colchoneros will have 48 hours less rest than Real Madrid before facing each other.
Atlético's captain raises his voice
On September 29, Diego Pablo Simeone's men, led by Koke, will host Carlo Ancelotti 's men at the Cívitas Metropolitano . It will be, once again, from 9:00 p.m., when one of the most important derbies in the whole country begins with all the spotlights on the two teams. Before this match, Atlético de Madrid will travel to Vigo to face Celta in Balaídos , while Real Madrid host Alavés the day before, on Tuesday.
A scenario that has not pleased the red-and-white fans at all, who see it as unfair that their main rival has 48 hours more rest. All this added to the fact that the match against Atlético de Madrid will be in Galicia and, again, at the last minute. The captain of the colchonera entity, Koke , was asked about this subject at the event held by Panini.
He commented that "as a footballer I would like to rest, but I am not the one who sets the schedule and I try to adapt without excuses. We have 48 hours less rest and this time it was our turn, but I hope it doesn't happen again because for a better spectacle we need more rest." Finally, Koke added that "we just have to push hard because it is a very nice match."
Family members, a key factor
Koke also did not want to forget that the footballers' families and, in general, all people, are key for them . For this reason, putting the matches at 9:00 p.m. on Sundays is something that "does not suit us either" and that "we like to be accompanied by our families." However, the Atlético captain knows that they only have to "adapt to what there is, not make excuses and prepare a derby that we are going to win."
That being the case, Atlético de Madrid will have to continue preparing for the month as planned. In September they will have to face Valencia, Leipzig, Rayo Vallecano, Celta de Vigo, Real Madrid, Benfica and Real Sociedad . A schedule that appears to be complicated, but one that the Metropolitano hopes to face in the best possible way.