Real Madrid win Laliga with four to spare, repeat of Ernesto Valverdes 2017-2018 barcelona

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have marched to a record 35th title convincingly, sealing it with a comfortable 4-0 win over Espanyol on Saturday, offering consistent and dependable performances with just a couple of hiccups along the way.

The last time a team won the league with four games to spare was Ernesto Valverde’s first year with Barcelona, the 2017-18 season when they beat second-place Atletico Madrid by 14 points.

This year, the season could finish with a bigger gap still.

When Madrid won the title in 2019-20, it was with just one match to spare, and at no point in the 21st century have they won the league this early. They have been top since week 13 and never looked like being deposed.

To Madrid’s great credit, they have been hugely effective at both ends of the pitch, where it counts, while Ancelotti has had no qualms in allowing breakthrough star Vinicius Junior to play on the counter as it suits him.

The squad has strength in depth and Madrid have improved as the season has gone on, while their rivals have withered, with the exception of Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona.