Why are Real Madrid playing Girona on a Friday this week?
Madrid step away from their usual weekend slot as LaLiga schedule shifts timing during a key stretch of the season.
Real Madrid’s prospects of winning the Champions League for a record-extending 16th time are dwindling after they suffered a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Tuesday. However, their hopes of another famous ‘remontada’ have been boosted by the scheduling of their next LaLiga game.
Madrid will play Girona at the Santiago Bernabéu at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, April 10, veering away from their usual kickoff times.
Why Real Madrid are playing on Friday
Given their global stature, Real Madrid usually get the prime-time weekend slot, which locally is 9 p.m. and 3 p.m. Eastern Time. In Spain, though, games are staggered across the weekend to maximize TV audiences. Matchday begins Friday evening with one game, followed by four games per day over Saturday and Sunday, and concludes with a fixture on Monday.
Usually, lower-profile clubs inevitably end up playing more on Mondays and Fridays, the non-prime-time TV slots.
However, LaLiga generally tries to ensure its clubs have the best possible conditions for European competition and was happy to give Real Madrid a little extra time to rest and prepare for their visit to Munich, where they will take on Bayern next Wednesday, April 15.
A familiar advantage before Europe
Los Blancos have already played on a Friday this season, defeating Celta Vigo 1-0 on March 6, five days before going up against Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16. On that occasion, the extra rest certainly favored them, as they put in one of their best performances of the season in a 3-0 home win.
What about Barcelona and Atlético?
Barcelona and Atlético Madrid have not been afforded the same privilege, with the teams scheduled to take on Espanyol and Sevilla, respectively, on Saturday, April 11. However, that is offset by the fact they are facing one another in the Champions League next Tuesday, April 14.
Barça will have something of an advantage, though, as they will kick off a few hours earlier than Atleti and do not have any traveling to do. Hansi Flick’s side will, of course, then have to make the trip to the Spanish capital.
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