Real Madrid recently beat Elche 2-0 to open up some breathing space between them and fierce rivals Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga title race. Los Blancos have won seven of their last eight league games, and find themselves sitting pretty at the summit, with 60 points from 24 games, while Luis Enrique’s Barcelona side are currently four points adrift.
Their domestic campaign is going swimmingly, but Real Madrid are also enjoying a perfect Champions League defence so far. The Spaniards have won all seven of their games played, conceding just two goals in the process. They have one foot in the door of the quarter-finals following a 2-0 away win to take to the Santiago Bernabeu, so things could hardly be going better.
They have Cristiano Ronaldo largely to thank for such success, as the prolific Portuguese international continues to set the standard The 30-year-old is only two goals shy of surpassing last season’s league goal tally of 31, and still has 14 more games to play. In the Champions League, he’s only failed to score in one of their seven games played. But it’s not all down to the back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has finally got his side firing on all cylinders home and away this season. Los Blancos have won 10 at home and 10 on the road. They have scored 35 at the Santiago Bernabeu, and 39 in away games, which shows just how consistent Ancelotti has got his side playing. Real average more than three goals per game played in the league.
And with 20 wins from 24 La Liga outings, the Spaniards are undoubtedly the best side in world football. They are coming off the back of winning both the Copa Del Rey and Champions League, and are aiming to be the first team to retain the prestigious European competition in the modern day. Players and the manager have spoken about achieving such difficult objectives this season, and it’s in their hands as things stand.
“We are European champions, and we will do everything possible to be European champions again. It is a fantastic motivation for us, we were here last year with a dream to win the Champions League. We are here this year with the same dream. History says it will be really difficult, almost impossible, but we have to try,” said Ancelotti.
Can Real Madrid win both the La Liga title and retain the Champions League this season?
