Emilio Butragueno, Real Madrid’s director of institutional relations, has said Los Blancos will have a hectic schedule before the winter break as they take part in the World Club Championship.
As Champions League winners, Los Blancos enter the competition at the semi-final stage in mid-December. They will take on the winner between Cruz Azul and the AFC Champions League winners.
The first tie will take place on December 16, in between La Liga matches against Sevilla and Almeria. Carlo Ancleotti’s side will also have to take part in the final or a third-fourth place play off.
And Butraguena said the schedule will be tough on the players. But he added the World Club Championship was a tournament everyone is motivated for and wants to win.
“I think this is a fantastic competition. After many years we were able to win the Champions League. We are here to do our best and to make our fans happy,” he said.
“If we come here without injuries and if we come here with our best players playing at a very good level, then I’m sure we’ll have a good chance to win the competition. It’s going to be a very tight schedule that month so for that reason we have to prepare very well for every game. We are going to play the last game in our Champions League group one week before coming here.”
And he added: “And the last weekend before coming here we are going to play against Almeria. So yes, we’re going to have a difficult period and we have to prepare properly.”
