Two Real Madrid stars needed medical assistance after tiring Villarreal win | OneFootball

Real Madrid players struggled physically against Villarreal, and almost everyone who spoke after the match pointed to the demanding schedule as the main reason.

The packed fixture list has clearly affected their fitness levels, and it was evident on the pitch.

Despite securing a win thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid found it difficult to cope with the intensity, particularly in the latter stages of the game.

With less than 72 hours of recovery time since their previous match against Atletico Madrid, fatigue was a major factor.

The team, including Carlo Ancelotti, openly voiced concerns about the short turnaround between games, suggesting that it played a role in their struggles.

Three players needed medical attention

As the final whistle blew, several Real Madrid players were visibly exhausted. Some even remained on the pitch, unable to immediately recover from the effort they had put in.

The physical toll was apparent, especially in the closing minutes when their legs felt significantly heavier.

Accoridng to Mario Cortegana, players such as Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Jude Bellingham appeared to be struggling, while Fran Garcia required medical attention.

Although Real Madrid now have a break from club football due to the international fixtures, many of their key players will not get a chance to rest.

Tchouameni and Camavinga will be joining the French national team, while Bellingham will be representing England. Meanwhile, Fran Garcia is expected to stay behind to recover from his issues.

This situation highlights a key difference between Barcelona and Real Madrid. While Madrid continue to struggle with fatigue, Barcelona have managed their squad rotation more effectively under Hansi Flick.

The Catalan side has been able to maintain a balanced approach, ensuring that players remain fresh even during a congested schedule.