Five reasons for Real Madrid's title triumph

Andy West 23:40 21/05/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • The key factors behind Real's title triumph.

    Los Blancos are celebrating their 33rd La Liga title success and here’s five reasons why the Whites got the better of rivals Barcelona.

    Share your thoughts on Real’s triumph with us – get in touch via Twitter or Facebook.

    TEAM SPIRIT

    Zinedine Zidane has done a great job to keep everyone pulling in the same direction at a club where that doesn’t always happen.

    The Frenchman’s magnetic personality and larger than life reputation ensure he is completely respected by his players, who have accepted their manager’s squad rotations without dissent.

    For the first time in a long time, Real Madrid are playing as a unified team and their manager deserves huge credit for creating that environment.

    Zinedine Zidane

    What a record: Zidane.

    DEPTH OF TALENT

    The biggest contrast between Real Madrid and nearest challengers Barcelona has been the depth of talent within the squad.

    Whereas several Barca second-choice players like Andre Gomes, Denis Suarez and Lucas Digne have desperately struggled, Zidane can basically pick two completely different teams without suffering any dip in quality.

    The fact that Alvaro Morata and Isco have outscored Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema shows how many options Zidane has, and he has used them wisely.

    Isco

    Isco’s having a disco.

    NEVER SAY DIE

    One significant consequence of the excellent team spirit has been Madrid’s ability to rescue games with late goals.

    No matter how badly they are playing, Los Blancos possess an unshakeable belief that if they just keep on persisting they will eventually score.

    Nobody has epitomised that self-confidence more than captain Sergio Ramos, whose last-gasp heroics have already become legendary. As many teams have discovered to their cost, you can never count Real Madrid out.

    Scored a late winner against Valencia: Marcelo

    Scored a late winner against Valencia: Marcelo.

    SET-PIECE MASTERY

    Madrid have scored no less than 21 goals from set-piece situations this season, with many of their late rescue acts coming from the familiar route of a pinpoint Toni Kroos delivery being converted by a Ramos header – most importantly, they rescued a point at Barcelona in exactly that manner.

    Kroos has finished the season with no less than 12 assists, while 15 goals were scored by defenders.

    Has a knack of scoring late headers: Sergio Ramos

    Has a knack of scoring late headers: Sergio Ramos.

    RONALDO’S RENAISSANCE

    Midway through the season there were signs that Cristiano Ronaldo was gradually becoming a fading force, with the Portuguese star often passing through games almost unnoticed and reaching January with just ten league goals to his name.

    But thanks to Zidane’s rotation policy keeping him fresh he has roared into life in the last few weeks, setting up his team’s title charge with a flurry of goals and looking as good as ever.

    Cristiano Ronaldo.

    The main man: Ronaldo.

    Recommended