Madrid doing the maths: when will they be crowned La Liga champions?

La Liga is settled. There is no other feeling after Real Madrid's victory over Barcelona in 'El Clasico' at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 3-2 final score, with Jude Bellingham's stoppage time winner, dispels any hint of excitement for the final stretch. Now, the only doubt is to know when Carlo Ancelotti's team will be crowned champions.

With six games left to play, 'Los Blancos' are 11 points clear of the 'Cules', who are 12 points clear by virtue of having beaten them on aggregate. Therefore, and at the earliest opportunity, the 'Merengues' could be proclaimed champions of the domestic competition after matchday 34. Madrid visit Real Sociedad next Friday, in matchday 33. Whatever they do, and regardless of Barca's result against Valencia the following Monday, the title cannot yet be celebrated. 

If Barca had overtaken Madrid in Donostia, the gap would be reduced to 8+1 (because of the goal difference) if 'Los Blancos' lose and the 'Cules' win; to 9+1 if they draw and win, respectively; or to 10+1 if Madrid lose and Xavi's men take a point against Michel's team. Only in the first of these cases would the sentence be definitively postponed until matchday 35.

The following week, between the first and second legs of the Champions League semi-finals against Bayern Munich, the 'Merengues' will host Cadiz. They will do so on Saturday 4th May at 16.15 CEST, just over two hours before the 'Cules' play their game at Montilivi against Girona. Should they hold on to their lead after matchday 33, the Madrid side will be able to officially celebrate the title if they beat the Andalusian side and Barcelona fail to win afterwards.

To be champions, they would have to improve on the result achieved by the Catalan side, either with a draw or a 'Cule' defeat. If Real Madrid, meanwhile, draw, they need Barcelona to lose to Girona to celebrate La Liga title on matchday 34. If not, they will have to wait until matchday 35.

 

April 21, 2024