The beautiful game, a tapestry woven with skill, passion, and unpredictable drama, has always been resistant to radical change. In today's time, the fast development of technology has brought about the biggest change in how football matches are officiated: the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Since its full introduction, VAR has been a constant source of debate, lauded for correcting "clear and obvious errors" but simultaneously lambasted for disrupting the game's flow and generating its own brand of controversy. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup looms on the horizon, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the custodians of the Laws of the Game, The upcoming changes are set to bring more major changes to VAR rules, trying to find a better balance between being accurate and keeping the real feel of football. These proposed changes are not mere tweaks; they are a direct response to years of scrutiny, fan frustration, and the desire to evolve the sport without irr...
What started as a protest from the Italian coach over the packed game schedule has turned into a war of words between the two.
The spat stems from Ancelotti's dissatisfaction with the lack of recuperation time between matches. Following Real Madrid's tight victory over Villarreal before the international break, the veteran manager said that his club will no longer play with fewer than 72 hours of recuperation.
The comment was a blatant criticism of La Liga's scheduling, with Ancelotti offering a veiled ultimatum.
Javier Tebas, who frequently delves into Real Madrid-related issues, responded strongly, pointing out that Ancelotti's reluctance to rotate his squad or use his five available substitutions may be adding to his complaints with player tiredness.
Ancelotti fired back before Real Madrid's match against Leganes, saying that he was unaware of Tebas' desire to coach teams.
Tebas hits back at X.
He referred to a December 2020 interview Ancelotti did when at Everton, in which the Italian questioned the need for five changes.
"My personal opinion, three substitutions are enough to change the game," Ancelotti stated at the time, adding that if a player required rest, "you can leave him out at the start of the game."
Tebas also remembered Ancelotti's shifting approach since rejoining Real Madrid, citing his statement after a match against Valencia in September 2021, in which he remarked, "With the five substitutions, we have an advantage because we have a lot of quality."
Finally, Tebas cited another comment from August 2022, following a match against Espanyol, in which Ancelotti stated, "The five substitutions are good for us because we have fast, powerful players to exploit the spaces."
Tebas closed the post with 'the chemistry is fantastic' in a desperate attempt to portray the Real Madrid manager as a hypocrite.
It remains to be seen whether the Italian strategist would respond to Tebas' critical words or let the matter to rest.
It remains to be seen whether the Italian strategist would respond to Tebas' critical words or let the matter to rest.
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