Ancelotti’s squad is set to kickoff their European campaign this season with a high-stakes clash on Tuesday, February 21, as Real Madrid visits Anfield to take on Liverpool in the Champions League.
Real Madrid currently occupies a busy stretch of the campaign, juggling commitments across La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, and the Club World Cup. The calendar has packed in a demanding slate, pushing the squad toward a rhythm of nearly two games per week. To keep pace with the schedule, several fixtures must be rearranged or rescheduled, ensuring the team can meet all responsibilities without burning out the squad.
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Why Real Madrid is facing Elche later and not in the Champions League yet
The absence of a league match against Elche last weekend stemmed from Real Madrid’s participation in a late-season tournament in Morocco, which prevented the La Liga fixture from taking place on its originally scheduled date. Meanwhile, the Champions League knockout phase unfolds in four-week blocks, with two weeks allocated to travel and the other two to the return leg. This structure drives careful planning across the club to balance domestic and continental duties while keeping players fresh for the pivotal knockout rounds.
La Liga fans can follow comprehensive coverage of Real Madrid versus Elche, captured as part of the season’s ongoing domestic campaign.
As a result, the team’s league match against Elche has been moved to a later date, aligning with the opening leg of the Champions League Round of 16. The Madrid side will then mark their entry into the European arena with the visit to Liverpool, launching the European tie while the first leg of the Round of 16 is staged. This alignment underscores the club’s approach to managing a dense schedule, ensuring a strong start in Europe while continuing progress across all competitions.