For Zidane Inconsistency cost Barca: Enrique
Real Madrid’s decorated manager says winning Spanish league trumps previous achievements as player, coach
only eight points against top-four teams. In contrast, Barcelona claimed 14 of the possible 18 against La Liga’s top teams. However, the Catalans unexpectedly lost against teams like Alaves, Celta Vigo, Deportivo and Malaga. Los Blancos consistently won against weaker oppositions. was rested for much of the season by manager Zidane to keep him fresh for the business end of the season. has been phenomenal as Ronaldo peaked in the final phase of the season. He has scored 14 goals in his last nine matches in all competitions. of being a match-winner has only been enhanced in the bargain. He has been called up for big games and delivered with game-changing performances, even scoring vital goals against La Liga biggies Sevilla, Celta Vigo and Valencia.. Cristiano Ronaldo scored in 29 La Liga games 2015-16 2016
has had a phenomenal first full season as manager of Real Madrid. His squad rotation policy over the course of the season has brought out the best from his players.
(12 assists) and Marcelo (10 assists) were the creative forces for Real, but Zidane’s use of Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio was also praised. Vazquez started just 12 games but managed two goals and seven assists while Asensio registered three goals and two assists in 11 starts.
and excellent planning have been at the forefront of his managerial abilites. 2016 2016-17
of the 24-man squad scored for Real. Dani Carvajal and Fabio Coentrao were the only outfielders who did not score in the league
Real Madrid players reached double figures: Ronaldo (25 goals), Morata (15 goals), Benzema (11 goals) and Isco (10 goals)
ended a run of four seasons without a league trophy, ending their longest drought since the 1994 La Liga season
to score in every single La Liga game this season, the first time they have ever managed to acheive the feat in the club’s history
inconsistency over the season had cost them the La Liga title, coach Luis Enrique has said.
A second half comeback from two goals down to beat Eibar 4-2 on the final day of the season proved futile as Real beat Malaga 2-0 to end a five-year run without the title.
Barca took 14 points from 18 in their six games against Spain’s top four sides Real, Sevilla and Atletico. Real picked up just eight in the corresponding games.
The Catalans, however, proved less reliable against supposedly weaker opposition, dropping points against Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo, Deportivo La Coruna, Alaves and Malaga. Madrid took maximum points from those games.
“We haven’t ended the season as we wanted. La Liga is 38 games long and it rewards consistency. We were not consistent enough,” Luis Enrique told a news conference.
“Especially earlier in the season at home and we have paid for that. We didn’t depend on ourselves. We fought until the very end and now we congratulate the worthy champions.
“Whoever wins the league is TEAM
R Madrid Barcelona Atletico Sevilla Villarreal Sociedad P W D L GD PtS 3829 6 3 65 93 38 23 6 4 79 90 38 23 9 6 43 78 38 21 9 8 20 72 38 19 10 9 23 67 38 19 7 12 6 64
Relegated: Sporting Gijon, Osasuna, Granada
Top three enter Champions League group stage
Fourth-placed team enters Champions League play-offs
Fifth and sixth enter Europa League group stage
the worthy winner. We know where we fell short, but this is how it is in the top competitions.”
Barca supporters unveiled a huge banner before the game in tribute to the coach, who spent eight seasons with the club as a player, in his last league match in charge before taking a sabbatical.