Real Madrid secured the 2023/24 La Liga title on Saturday evening after Barcelona fell to a shock defeat away at Girona.
Los Blancos saw off Cadiz 3-0 earlier in the day to move 14 points clear of Barcelona at the time. Xavi’s side needed to win every game to even have a chance of snatching the title away, but their slip-up against Girona ultimately left them unable to catch Madrid at the top of the standings.
It’s the 36th time Madrid have won the La Liga title, putting them nine clear ahead of Barcelona’s 27 triumphs.
Wrestling this trophy back from Barcelona was of the utmost importance to Madrid this season, and that was clear as a Jude Bellingham-inspired early run of form saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side establish themselves as favourites.
Barcelona endured a tough start to the season and for the first six months were not even seen as contenders. Instead, it was surprise-package Girona who were duelling Madrid, and Michel’s side even stood tall at the top of the standings on more than one occasion.
However, Girona’s hot form ultimately began to cool and Madrid did what Madrid do best. They rose to the pressure and roared their way back to the top of the mountain, sealing the title with four games to go.
Key to Madrid’s success has been their home form – Ancelotti’s side are unbeaten at the Bernabeu this season – while their sole defeat of the campaign so far came all the way back in September when they fell 3-1 to Atletico Madrid on enemy soil.
The Supercopa de Espana champions also hope to add a third piece of silverware to the trophy cabinet before the season comes to a close, with the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich coming up on Wednesday.
