JOSE MOURINHO FIRES WARNING OVER REAL MADRID'S FIXTURE SCHEDULE AS SPECIAL ONE TAKES AIM AT LA LIGA

MADRID, SPAIN — 31 OCTOBER 2026

Jose Mourinho has expressed his frustration with Real Madrid's demanding fixture schedule, questioning the decisions behind the timing of the club's upcoming matches as the Spanish giants prepare for a challenging week of football.

The Portuguese tactician did not hide his disappointment during his latest media appearance, pointing out that his team has been given limited recovery time despite facing three away matches in the space of just seven days.

Mourinho believes the scheduling arrangements have placed unnecessary physical demands on his players, particularly because of the travelling involved and the reduced time available between fixtures.

Real Madrid are scheduled to face Racing Santander in La Liga before travelling to Greece to take on AEK Athens in the UEFA Champions League. They will then return to domestic action against Valencia at Mestalla on Saturday.

The manager believes the schedule could have been arranged differently to give his players more time to recover between important encounters.

Mourinho questions fixture arrangements

Speaking about the situation, Mourinho highlighted the difference between the dates he believes his team should have played and the actual arrangements.

"We had to play tomorrow, we play today. We had to play Sunday in Valencia, we play Saturday," Mourinho explained.

He continued by emphasising the physical demands of the upcoming programme.

"Three games with three travels in seven days, two days less to recover."

The experienced manager also delivered a sarcastic response to those responsible for the fixture arrangements, making it clear that he was unhappy with the situation.

"It's a big gift we are receiving. Thanks. We hope to make them sad," he added.

His comments have attracted attention because of the pressure surrounding Real Madrid's demanding run of fixtures, with the club expected to compete strongly in both domestic and European competitions.

Real Madrid face demanding week

Despite his frustration, Mourinho understands that his team must remain focused and find a way to manage the difficult schedule.

The upcoming matches could have an important influence on Real Madrid's season, particularly as they continue pursuing their ambitions in La Liga and the Champions League.

The manager will also have to consider squad rotation to protect players from fatigue and reduce the risk of injuries during the demanding period.

For Mourinho, the priority will be ensuring that Real Madrid maintain their competitive standards despite the limited recovery time.

His message is clear: he may not agree with the fixture arrangements, but he expects his players to respond positively and deliver results on the pitch.

Source https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2116543113380741166