Valencia and Real Madrid had their game in November postponed due to the DANA tragedy wreaking havoc and destruction across the Valencian Community. The game has been re-arranged for the second of January, but may face another change.
The clash at Mestalla was originally due to take place on the second of November, but was postponed on request from Los Che. La Liga have announced that it will take place on Thursday the second of January at 20:00 CEST, but the date is not yet final.
Diario AS say that it has been arranged without the green light of the AFE (the player’s union in Spain). It had been agreed that the players would have the 23rd of December until the 2nd of January off as part of their winter break, but the new date obviously infringes that period. The AFE are still speaking with the players to ensure they are open to cutting down their holidays by a day, bearing in mind they will have to be back in training several days before at least.
On the Saturday and Sunday of that weekend the Copa del Rey Round of 32 will take place, and on the 6th, Real Madrid travel to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Supercup, meaning that even pushing it back a day looks almost impossible.
Given the packed calendar down the line for Real Madrid, and the fact they may be forced into the Champions League play-off round, there are few dates remaining where the game could be accommodated. If the AFE do not agree to the new date, it would likely mean waiting until Los Blancos are out of the Champions League or both are out of the Copa del Rey for the next available date.
