Spanish media reports have revealed the behind-the-scenes tension between Antonio Pintus, the head of physical preparation at Real Madrid, and Francisco Mauri, the assistant fitness coach in Carlo Ancelotti's staff, during the last season.

According to the newspaper "ABC", the dispute erupted with the rising rate of injuries within the team, as Mauri bypassed the administrative hierarchy and made implicit accusations against Pintus through media leaks, blaming him for the recurring injuries, which angered the latter.

The newspaper pointed out that one of the most significant points of contention was during the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, when Mauri insisted on including Ferland Mendy despite Pintus's warnings about the risks of his participation, which led to a new injury.

The newspaper noted that with Ancelotti's departure to coach the Brazilian national team, Pintus decided not to engage in a potential clash with the new staff led by Xabi Alonso, preferring to step back from fieldwork, despite receiving an offer from Juventus.

Pintus agreed with president Florentino Perez to take on a new administrative role as "Performance Director", allowing him to remain close to the team as a consultant on physical matters without direct involvement.

The club's management appreciated Pintus's decision to quietly withdraw from fieldwork to maintain harmony within the team amid the technical transitions, starting a new chapter as a physical consultant whose expertise would be called upon when needed, without bearing direct responsibility for physical preparation.