Real Madrid champions of Spain

This Wednesday, it’s Real Madrid - Barcelona! Not that it matters much, since Real Madrid last night secured the Spanish title. So, the only real item next weekend will be: will Barca form an honorary reception for their rivals from Spain’s capital. That is the custom in Spanish football, but since Barca and Real are such fierce competitors, some say the Blaugranas will possible break from that tradition.

Barca may have trashed with 6-0, it didn’t matter anymore. Real needed a win against Osasuna and if they got that, they’d be the new Spanish champs.

And although it took some effort, Real won 2-1.

Arjen Robben had quite something to say with his equalizer in the last minutes of the game. And three minutes before time, it was Higuain who scored the winner. The 31st title was there. Some players said they’d rather kept the draw so the Barca match in the Bernabeu Stadium would be the title match. Robben was disappointed that the season is almost over. The most expensive signing this season was getting in his rhythm over the last weeks.

“I would love to play on a bit, it’s going well,” the former Groningen talent told newspaper Marca. For a long time, Robben wasn’t focused on the title but on getting match fit. His injuries almost ruined his debut season in Madrid.

Like Van Nistelrooy last season, Dutchies Sneijder, Robben and Drenthe start their careers in Spain with a title.

Still, despite the four Dutch players, Real Madrid couldn’t be called Oranje yet this season. Ruud van Gol and Robben had their injuries, while Drenthe was mainly a sub for the Merenguez. Sneijder started the season strong but had a lesser period after that.

Sneijder played 28 out of the 35 competition games, of which 24 as a starter. Van Nistelrooy, normally never a question mark, only played 21 matches due to his injury. Robben played 20 matches, of which 12 as a starter. Drenthe only started 7 times and had 11 sub-turns.