After a series of extensive trips to compete for two titles this season, Real Madrid now faces a "quick trip" to defend their LaLiga lead on January 24.

Real Madrid's Express Trip

The Spanish giants have opted to travel by plane to Valladolid for their upcoming LaLiga match, despite the 219-kilometer distance between Valdebebas, their training center, and the José Zorrilla Stadium. The team chose air travel over buses or trains, citing it as the most convenient option for the players.

With the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport located nearby in Valdebebas, short flights become an attractive and practical choice. For this particular journey, the aerial route reduces the distance to 169 kilometers, with a flight time of just 25 minutes. While this isn’t the first time Real Madrid has taken this approach, it continues to raise eyebrows in Valladolid.

Comfort for the Players

Although the flight barely lasts long enough for the plane to reach cruising altitude, the aerial option provides convenience and efficiency. Players leave their vehicles at Valdebebas, board a bus that takes them directly to the plane, and complete the trip to their hotel in Valladolid in roughly an hour.

Impact on Valladolid-Villanubla Airport

Located just 12 kilometers from the city, Valladolid-Villanubla Airport typically sees limited traffic, with regular flights only arriving from Barcelona and Gran Canaria. However, the arrival of Real Madrid will bring a notable spike in activity, drawing fans and making the airport a regional hotspot for the day.

Real Madrid’s Current Form

Having regained the LaLiga lead after a surprise stumble by Barcelona, Real Madrid now sits seven points ahead of their rivals and just two points ahead of Atlético Madrid. The team’s recent form includes three consecutive victories across three different competitions, a turnaround from their Supercopa de España loss in the Clásico final.

Real Madrid’s resurgence under Carlo Ancelotti has seen them score 14 goals in their last three matches. However, the manager has emphasized the need for defensive improvement to secure major titles this season.

Key Changes for the Match

The intense January schedule, with eight matches in just 25 days, leaves no room for complacency. Ancelotti will make necessary adjustments for the Valladolid game, especially with Vinícius Junior unavailable due to suspension. This will be the second of his two-match domestic ban, and he will also miss the final Champions League group-stage game.

Real Madrid approaches the match with confidence, despite facing LaLiga’s bottom-ranked team. However, they are aware that maintaining their momentum is crucial in such a packed calendar.