Real Madrid became champions of the Spanish League this Saturday, two years after the last title in that championship, by beating Cádiz 3-0 and Barcelona losing 4-2 in their visit to Girona.
These are some of the key men in the Merengue team’s 36th LaLiga title.
🙌 WE ARE THE LALIGA CHAMPIONS 2023/24! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/jSGlGbooKv
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) May 4, 2024
Bellingham, the unexpected goalscorer
He was the team’s biggest sensation since his arrival, in the middle of last year, as a major signing for the new season. Coming from Borussia Dortmund, the English midfielder surprised everyone with his start as top scorer, with ten goals in the first ten games of the championship.
Although his numbers declined in the final stretch of the campaign, he remains the league’s second top scorer with 18 goals. Bellingham also managed to appear in important moments such as in ‘El Clásico’ against Barça, on April 21, in which he scored the winning goal (3-2) to take a giant step towards the title.
“The most important thing is Bellingham’s goal against Barcelona that allowed us to get back to eleven points (advantage)”, said Ancelotti this Saturday when asked about the important moments of this League.
Kroos, the tireless metronome
The years don’t seem to pass by for Toni Kroos, who has once again become essential in Ancelotti’s midfield. The Italian coach knew how to manage the German’s minutes to bring out his best version.
His vision and ability to distribute the game have once again become essential for Real Madrid and his good form has even allowed him to return to the German team for the European Championship to be held in his country.
Lunin, the Ukrainian patient
For a long time in the shadow of Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin knew how to take advantage of the Belgian’s long absence and the irregularity of Kepa Arrizabalaga, hired urgently, to take over in goal.
Lunin has been one of those responsible for Real Madrid’s defensive solidity, which this season has conceded just 22 goals, making it the least leaked team in the Spanish league. The Ukrainian also holds the record for saves by a Real Madrid goalkeeper in a match, with eleven in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.
Rüdiger, the wall
Veteran German central defender Antonio Rüdiger has been a stalwart this season in the heart of the Madrid defense, which many of the opposition’s attacks have run into.
The German, who didn’t have much continuity last season, has managed to get the job done after the serious injuries to David Alaba and Eder Militão. The German is, in fact, the Real Madrid player who has played the most minutes this season, surpassed only by Fede Valverde.
Camavinga, the rising star
After starting to stand out last season, young Eduardo Camavinga has already become essential for Ancelotti.
The elegant French midfielder participated in practically every game in which he was available, excelling in both containment and attack, providing balls for attackers such as Vinicius and Rodrygo.
Camavinga also doesn’t hesitate to launch long-range shots whenever he has the opportunity.
Vini Jr, the relentless
The Brazilian striker saw his season hampered by injuries, but that didn’t stop him from continuing to be a headache for opposing defenses with his quick runs from the edge. The Merengue striker has already scored 13 goals this season in the Spanish Championship, more than the 10 he scored last year, making him his team’s second highest scorer, behind only Bellingham.
The Brazilian maintained his level on the field, while continuing his personal fight against racism, after once again being the target of insults.
Rodrygo, the Brazilian partnership
Despite the long period of goal drought that the Brazilian went through, Rodrygo continued to be essential in forming the offensive duo with his compatriot Vinicius.
“This year there was no continuity in scoring, but there was in work and performance”, said Ancelotti, who during the season defended Rodrygo’s contribution to his team’s defensive work, in addition to his offensive aspect. Despite the drop in the number of goals scored, Rodrygo managed to find the net 10 times in LaLiga.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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