José Mourinho Criticizes Real Madrid’s Three Away Trips in Seven Days

José Mourinho has criticized Real Madrid’s schedule of three away matches in seven days, questioning the recovery time between the Champions League visit to Athens and the league trip to Valencia.

Madrid face Racing de Santander on Sunday, AEK Athens on Wednesday and Valencia on Saturday. Mourinho said the return from Greece would come on Thursday morning, leaving a short preparation period before the next journey.

The coach described the arrangement as a gift from La Liga or the broadcasters at Saturday’s news conference. He said the Valencia match should have been played on Sunday rather than Saturday.

The fixture dates confirm the sequence. Racing host Madrid at El Sardinero on November 1, the AEK match is scheduled for November 4, and Madrid’s official announcement lists Mestalla on November 7.

The Valencia fixture is part of La Liga’s twelfth round, according to Madrid’s published announcement. The Santander trip falls in the previous league round, with the European journey between those two domestic assignments.

The Santander visit involves overnight travel. Europa Press reported, citing Madrid sources, that the itinerary called for a Saturday flight to Seve Ballesteros airport and a stay at the Hotel Real.

The same report said Madrid planned to return to the capital by air after Sunday’s match. It identified the visit as the club’s first competitive appearance at El Sardinero since a goalless league draw in September 2011.

Madrid lists Orange TV and DAZN as the Spanish broadcasters for Valencia. The announcement places the fixture at Mestalla on Saturday, when Mourinho would prefer another day for his squad.

Madrid’s announced kickoff at Valencia is 3 p.m. EST on November 7. The Athens match starts at 12:45 p.m. EST on November 4, according to the club’s European calendar. Both remain listed on those dates in the club’s announcements.