Real Madrid in contact with RFEF as scheduling mess looms following Copa del Rey draw | OneFootball

Earlier today, Real Madrid learned their opponents for the Copa del Rey Round of 16, getting paired against Albacete.

The Round of 16 fixtures will be played between 13-15 January, with kickoff times yet to be confirmed.

However, Real Madrid could find themselves in a mess with regarding to the schedules, given how cramped it is shaping up to be.

Scheduling complications loom

Indeed, as reported by AS, the calendar is tightening significantly, and complications are expected in particular regarding the scheduling of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey match vs Albacete.

if the Merengues reach the Spanish Super Cup final, it will be played on Sunday 11 January in Jeddah at 20.00 Spanish time. Meanwhile, they are scheduled to play their La Liga match against Levante on Saturday 17 January at 14.00.

In between, the Round-of-16 Copa del Rey match against Albacete must be fitted in, with ties due to be played between 13 and 15 January.

The task is complicated further by the fact that Real Madrid have a UEFA Champions League match scheduled on Tuesday, 20 January, days after the Levante clash.

As such, Real Madrid, who were represented at today’s Copa del Rey draw in Las Rozas by Emilio Butragueno, have been in contact with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) regarding the issue.

Scheduling headache for Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The RFEF has expressed its intention to engage in dialogue and reach an agreement that satisfies all parties.

The most feasible solution would be to delay the kick-off time of the Levante match, as changing the day is not an option given that Madrid play their Champions League match against AS Monaco on Tuesday 20 January at 21.00.

Schedule to be decided tonight

The plan is for the Copa del Rey kick-off times to be announced later tonight. In principle, Real Madrid would play on Wednesday 14 January, in prime-time television, as they are expected to be selected by TVE.

This would ensure the recommended 72 hours of rest if Xabi Alonso’s men were to defeat Atletico Madrid and reach the final in Saudi Arabia.

In that hypothetical scenario, the responsibility would then fall to La Liga, which would need to assess the option of delaying the kick-off time, but not the date, of the Levante match.

Barcelona, who face Racing Santander, Atletico Madrid, who play Deportivo La Coruna, and Athletic Club, who are drawn against Cultural Leonesa, avoid these scheduling problems due to their European matches being played on Wednesday, which provides greater flexibility.