It has long been known that the La Liga title was staying in the Spanish capital – even if there were going to be different hands on the trophy this year.
And so, following the last-day excitement of Atletico Madrid pipping city rivals Real last term, the title of Spain’s top team is back in more familiar hands.
That is the only place to start this weekend.
For the crown is a fully deserved triumph for Carlo Ancelotti and his Real Madrid players who hoisted their manager aloft in celebration of their title success but also after he became the first coach to win the five major European leagues – Ancelotti has also won titles in Italy’s Serie A (AC Milan), France’s Ligue 1 (Paris St Germain), the Premier League in England (Chelsea) and the German Bundesliga (Bayern Munich).
He won his first league title as a coach almost two decades ago, topping Serie A in 2004 with Milan. He went on to win the Premier League in 2010 with Chelsea, Ligue 1 in 2013 with PSG and the Bundesliga in 2017 with Bayern. To be the best in each of Europe’s top five leagues is something no one has ever achieved before.
In his first spell at Real Madrid, between 2013 and 2015, La Liga eluded him as Atletico and Barcelona lifted the title during those two seasons. However, Ancelotti’s Real Madrid have been the best team in Spain this year and the Italian now has 22 titles in his coaching career.
Real needed only a draw at home to mid table Espanyol to win the title but victory was never in doubt once Rodrygo stroked home from just inside the area.
The Brazilian doubled that advantage a minute before the break when he fired low into the bottom corner.
Marco Asensio finished off a rapid counter-attack to make it three before Karim Benzema came off the bench to sidefoot home from Vinicius Jr’s cutback.
Regardless of whether Real progress from the second leg of their Champions League semi-final in midweek, the veteran Italian has proved his worth to ensure Los Blancos are challenging for all the major honours again after a year where they missed out at home and abroad.
The fact some of the Madrid team is ageing and soon needs replacing is so true but that misses the point.
The achievement is the fact Ancelotti has managed to get another successful season out of the squad he inherited, coupled with helping the development of some younger players such as Vinicius – the Brazilian who has really made his mark this term.
They have created numerous La Liga highlights and should be saluted.
While they were doing the business, their Spanish compatriots in the Champions League semi-final, Villarreal, were resting key men which basement battlers Alaves took full advantage to move off the bottom and give their survival bid a glimmer of hope.
Captain Victor Laguardia headed home the opener after just four minutes before Gonzalo Escalante doubled the advantage on the half hour.
Samuel Chukwueze’s replied just after the restart but Alaves would not be breached again and, just a fortnight after seeming on the brink of relegation, they are within four points of safety.
Arguably the result of the weekend came on Friday night as Cadiz drew at Sevilla to defy the Andalusians, defy the SBOTOP La Liga betting odds and, crucially, stay one point clear of the bottom three after Granada could only match their result at home to Celta Vigo.
In fact, it required an equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time from substitute Darwin Machis to earn a point as his cross eluded everyone and nestled in the corner. Turning point?
They certainly remain just a point off Cadiz and Real Mallorca who were defeated by Barcelona.
That meant Barca moved back above Sevilla and into second place as Memphis Depay gave them a 25th-minute lead and Sergio Busquets doubled the lead nine minutes after the interval.
Antonio Raillo gave Mallorca hope 11 minutes from time but Barcelona claimed a first home win in four games after defeats to Eintracht Frankfurt, Cadiz and Rayo Vallecano.
Among the other results, Radamel Falcao earned Rayo Vallecano a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad by cancelling out Alexander Sorloth’s first-half effort, while Elche and Osasuna also drew 1-1.
Meanwhile, Atletico’s slip at Athletic Bilbao has provided Real Betis with a chance to close to within a point of fourth place should they defeat Getafe this evening (Monday).
There’s still plenty to play for in La Liga – except at the top where Real’s coronation has begun.
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