The three year domestic wait for the Los Merengues is finally over. Not only did they secure their first title since 2002/2003, they also stopped Barcelona from completing a hattrick of titles. By no means was this season a cakewalk, infact it extended to the last today, and Madrid made sure that the title was theirs about 10 minutes before the end of their game against Mallorca.
Although Real and Barcelona both won their respective games against Mallorca and Gimnastic and thus ended up with the same number of points, Real became winners thanks to their superior head to head record against the Catalans. This is the rule followed in Spain, unlike England, where goal difference is first taken into account.
The game was also the last for David Beckham in Madrid colours, and he will now turn out for the LA Galaxy next season. Beckham was subsituted for Reyes at the hour mark, and the former Sevilla and Arsenal forward seconded Capello’s decision with a goal for his club. Mahamadou Diarra, for whom the club had obtained a special FIFA ruling in order to let him participate in the game, chipped in with one of his own too. Madrid won the game 3-1, but one must not forget that they did not open their account for nearly two thirds of the game.
Despite Capello winning the La Liga, it is unlikely that the former Roma manager will continue to be in charge of proceedings at the Bernabeu. Rumour has it that Bernd Schuster is likely to succeed him.
As for Ruud Van Nistelrooy, highest scorer in the league and winner of the Pachichi- fitting reply to SAF.
Well done Real. Hard luck Barcelona….