Friday. 19.04.2024
LA LIGA

Ancelotti hungry for more titles after Madrid secure LaLiga crown

Ancelotti became the first coach to win each of Europe's top five leagues and the Italian is hungry for further success in the Champions League, with Madrid 4-3 down in the semi-final heading into the second leg at home to Manchester City on Wednesday

30 April 2022, Spain, Madrid: Real Madrid's Marcelo Vieira (R) and Karim Benzema celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish La Liga 2021-22 title following their soccer match against RCD Espanyol de Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Photo: Apo Caballero/DAX via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa.
Real Madrid's Marcelo Vieira (R) and Karim Benzema celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish La Liga 2021-22 title. Photo: Apo Caballero/dpa.

Carlo Ancelotti outlined his desire to win more trophies with Real Madrid after Los Blancos secured the LaLiga title with a 4-0 victory over Espanyol.

A first-half Rodrygo double set Ancelotti's men on their way before strikes from Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema finished off the job in style at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

Madrid claimed their 35th Spanish top-flight crown with four games to spare, their earliest title since the 1989-99 campaign.

Ancelotti became the first coach to win each of Europe's top five leagues and the Italian is hungry for further success in the Champions League, with Madrid 4-3 down in the semi-final heading into the second leg at home to Manchester City on Wednesday.

"A lot of emotion, we have met a challenge," he said on the pitch after Madrid sealed the title.

"The season has been spectacular. Lots of consistency. I have to thank the players for their work and their attitude.

30 April 2022, Spain, Madrid: Real Madrid fans celebrate winning the Spanish La Liga 2021-22 title at the Cibeles plaza after the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and RCD Espanyol de Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Photo: Miguel Candela/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa.
Real Madrid fans celebrate winning the Spanish La Liga 2021-22 title at the Cibeles plaza. Photo: Miguel Candela/dpa.

"Today we have to celebrate, not talk. I want to celebrate. It fills me with pride to win in the five major leagues. I can say that I like what I do. It means I've done pretty well.

"I'm proud. I want to continue winning titles with Real Madrid. See you on Wednesday. I tell the fans on Wednesday we need this atmosphere."

Marcelo's pride

Madrid captain Marcelo also expressed his pride as he dedicated the triumph to the Los Blancos faithful.

"An immense joy," the veteran full back said. "We have won it as soon as possible and that is everyone's job. Very happy and we need to keep adding. It is the fruit of work, joy, sacrifice and many things.

30 April 2022, Spain, Madrid: Real Madrid players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish La Liga 2021-22 title following their soccer match against RCD Espanyol de Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Photo: Apo Caballero/DAX via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa.
Real Madrid players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Spanish La Liga 2021-22 title. Photo: Apo Caballero/dpa.

"That's why we've won. Celebrating it with the fans is the best. Before we couldn't (because of the pandemic) but today we can. The party is theirs.

"It is the greatest joy, celebrating at the home of the best club in the world. Today we have to celebrate. But we have an important game ahead."

'A great effort'

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois echoed his skipper Marcelo's sentiments.

"It is incredible to win the league with so many games remaining," the Belgium international said. "We made a great effort this year and we are very happy.

"We have had a very important consistency in key games, but above all in how we got through the difficult games we had after the Clasico [a 4-0 defeat at home to Barcelona].

"We beat Celta and Sevilla at their stadium, Getafe here at the Santiago Bernabeu... Many thanks to the fans for everything. Today the atmosphere was great.

"We really wanted to celebrate it, because two years ago we couldn't celebrate it with the fans due to the pandemic. Go Madrid!"

Ancelotti hungry for more titles after Madrid secure LaLiga crown