It was a most fitting end. Just as they had done the season before, Real Madrid scored three unanswered goals at Athletic Bilbao’s San Mames. But, unlike last season, this victory meant more. Much more. It meant the league title. The club’s first since 2008.

But, the score-line had little to do with why it was a most fitting end. In fact, it had nothing to do with it. It was fitting because Real Madrid have been exceptional on the road this season. It is where they have won the title. And, where Barcelona have lost it.

It is quite an astonishing record, it is a new record; Real Madrid have won 15 away matches in total. They have only lost once and drawn twice. On Saturday they will play at Granada where they could extend it to 16. Whilst on their travels, Real have scored 49 goals; another new record.  

There are more too.

Real Madrid have netted a total of 115 goals this season; bettering the previous record set by John Toshack’s Real side 22 years ago. And, there are still two games to go. They could score more and they will. They have a goal-difference of 85; another new record. On numerous occasions have teams scored over 100 goals in a La Liga season, but, Real have become the fastest team to do so after reaching a century after just 30 matches played.

There are the personal records, too, at least for one player. Cristiano Ronaldo has collected seven hat-tricks; a new record that Lionel Messi only equalled on his last outing. Ronaldo has also broken the record he set last season by scoring more than 40 goals in a single La Liga season. However, following his hat-trick against Malaga, Lionel Messi has gone two better.

Real boss Jose Mourinho has now won his seventh league title in four different countries. Not that this is a record, Ernest Happel and Giovanni Trappattoni have done the same. But, no one else has done so across leagues of England, Italy and Spain. It is a remarkable achievement.

There is one last, and certainly not the least, record that has to be noted. In winning La Liga, Real Madrid now have 32 league titles to their name. But, this one has a special significance. And, the reason is simple; it has ended Barcelona’s domestic hegemony.

Real have lurked in the shadows of their hated rivals ever since Pep Guardiola took charge at Camp Nou in the summer of 2008 – just after the capital side had celebrated its 31st league triumph. Not only have they dominated Spain, they have dominated Europe and the world while their football has won over many hearts and minds.

With Guardiola stepping down, it could be the start of the end for Barcelona. But, if their two displays since Guardiola announced his decision are anything to go by, the Catalans will return a force again next season.

Nonetheless, winning the league crown will allow Madrileno’s a sigh of relief. A rest-bite, if you will.  But, it will also provide them with great satisfaction. They just beat one of the greatest teams in history to the La Liga title. And, by winning at Camp Nou twelve days ago, there can be no doubts about the legitimacy of their success; Real Madrid are worthy champions.

Next season, however, in the words of Iker Casillas, “the objective is the Champions League”. It is now ten years since Real Madrid last one Europe’s most coveted prize. But, for a club that has defined itself by its European successes, it will have seen much longer.

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About the author
Francesco Tigani
Football writer, resident of Madrid, studied economics, AC Milan fan, live by what a coach once told me, "football is life the rest is just details"