News
LUN 22.05.2017
It wasn't until the final day that it was settled, but Real Madrid were crowned LaLiga Santander 2016/17 champions in convincing style, prevailing 2-0 away to Malaga CF to pip bitter rivals FC Barcelona to the title. We break down some of the key reasons why Los Blancos bagged the trophy for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
Real strength in depth
There was arguably no standout star who served as the driving force behind Real Madrid claiming their 33rdLaLiga Santander title. Rather, it was a collective effort par excellence. No fewer than 20 members of the Los Merengues squad clocked up more than 1,000 minutes of playing time in the league, which speaks volumes of the highly effective rotation policy employed by Zidane, who kept some of the big names fresh by handing them regular rests and offered players who might, on paper, be considered fringe figures the opportunity to shine. Tellingly, a total of 19 different players scored for Madrid in LaLiga Santander this term, more than any other club. The fact that the likes of Isco, Alvaro Morata, Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio, James Rodriguez and Mateo Kovacic all stepped up and performed significant roles at certain points in the campaign is a testament to the champions' strength in depth.
Cristiano Ronaldo's late-season rampage
Nowhere is Zidane's astute management of his charges' workload better illustrated than in his use of Ronaldo, who was given periodic breathers throughout the majority of the campaign with a view to ensuring he would peak over the final furlong. This approach was amply vindicated down the home stretch, with Cristiano ending the season in red-hot form, his run of five goals in the last three games helping to drag Los Blancos over the line.
Sergio Ramos's goalscoring exploits
The club captain has been showcasing his knack of coming up with big goals for many years, but he surpassed himself on that score this season. Ramos found the net a remarkable seven times in LaLiga Santander 2016/17 and several of those strikes were of the utmost importance. Indeed, his goals were worth nine points to Real Madrid over the course of the campaign: these included a last-gasp equaliser against FC Barcelona in the Camp Nou instalment of El Clasico and the stoppage-time winner in the 3-2 victory over RC Deportivo the following matchday.
No attacking blanks
For the first time in their long and storied history, Los Merengues managed to score in each and every one of their LaLiga Santander fixtures. In fact, the stat is even more impressive than that. Such is the Madrilenians' firepower that they have beaten the opposition keeper in all 59 of their encounters in all competitions this term which, coupled with the final five games of last season, means they are currently riding an incredible 64-match scoring streak.
Two marauding full-backs
A large proportion of Real Madrid's thrust up front came down the flanks. Zidane gave Dani Carvajal and Marcelo wings and they responded by wreaking havoc and creating goals by the bucketload. The two full-backs' attacking contribution made the champions an extremely difficult team to defend against by offering them more options going forward, and their crosses and passes were feasted on by clinical finishers such as Ronaldo, Morata and Karim Benzema.
Youthful enthusiasm
Young guns Asensio, Isco, Vazquez, Carvajal, Casemiro, Kovacic and Mariano all made their mark, both with their talent and with the burning ambition and hunger they showed to win the LaLiga Santander title for the first time. With none of this contingent older than 25, Real Madrid's future would seem to be in very safe hands.
© LALIGA - 2017