Real Madrid claimed a first La Liga title in five years with a 2-0 victory in La Rosaleda. Cristiano Ronaldo ensured nerves were settled with a goal inside two minutes, and Karim Benzema added another in the second half to put the game beyond Malaga and defence of the crown beyond Barcelona, who kept their end of the bargain with a 4-2 home win over Eibar.

Positives

Malaga's heads dropped after the early strike, and although the home side put Real on the back foot for a spell in either half, the visitors weathered both and largely controlled the game in a professional, rather than showstopping, performance.

Negatives

Malaga had their chances, particularly from high balls into the area, and Real were grateful to Keylor Navas for keeping them scoreless. Zinedine Zidane's side would have preferred to score a second earlier to open the game up and win in more convincing style, but given the circumstances, they won't dwell on it for long.

Manager rating out of 10

8 -- Zidane had the measure of Michel's team, who had beaten Barcelona and Sevilla in a four-match winning run at home in recent weeks, from the outset and set up his side in a 4-3-1-2 to stifle Sandro Ramirez while cutting off supply lines from the wings. His changes were made at the right time and in the right departments.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Keylor Navas, 8 -- Made six saves, two from a Sandro free kick and a Chory Castro one-on-one that were both excellent and vital. Commanded his area well and exuded confidence from the back to secure a first La Liga clean sheet in 16 games.

DF Danilo, 8 -- Maybe should have squared for Ronaldo at 1-0, but blasted wide from a tight angle instead. Put in an exceptional performance at the back after losing Sandro for Malaga's first opening and made a glorious, last-ditch tackle on Jony Rodriguez in the second half, one of his game-high six interventions. None of his teammates managed more than two.

DF Sergio Ramos, 7 -- Allowed Keko to get in behind him for a decent chance in the first half and was turned a little too easily by Ignacio Camacho for another at the start of the second. Was otherwise solid in the air and a nuisance in the opposite area, where he was instrumental in the second goal.

DF Raphael Varane, 6 -- Met his match in a foot race when faced with Sandro, but did his bit to keep Malaga at bay. Was neat in distribution and provided cover on both flanks when the full-backs ventured forward.

DF Marcelo, 7 -- Put in a more conservative outing than usual, probably under instruction, but dealt well with the lively Keko, and when he did get forward sowed panic in the Malaga defence.

MF Casemiro, 7 -- Ran himself into the ground, but was more puff than rough as he chased Malaga around as part of the Madrid press. Gifted possession on the edge of his own area in the second period with a sloppy pass.

MF Luka Modric, 8 -- Seven interceptions in the opening half hour alone showed how much he wanted this title. Was everywhere, tackling, running at the opposition and hounding Malaga in possession, all while keeping it simple on the ball to keep Real ticking.

MF Toni Kroos, 6 -- Troubled Kameni with a shot on 36 minutes as he sought to keep his scoring run going and rolled his sleeves up in midfield when Malaga were in the ascendancy. A solid showing only made to look middling by his own recent standards.

MF Isco, 8 -- Zidane faces a dilemma if Gareth Bale is fit for Cardiff. On current form, Isco is simply undroppable. His outside-of-the-boot ball for Ronaldo's opener was inch-perfect, and he started a move that should've resulted in a second with glorious turn and cross-field delivery for Benzema.

FW Cristiano Ronaldo, 7 -- Opened the scoring with his first and second touches of the game and was denied a second by Kameni, who did well to stop him after good work from Benzema. Not a vintage performance, but Ronaldo was happy to move wide and drop deep to make something happen.

FW Karim Benzema, 7 -- Strayed offside for a couple of decent chances, but reacted quickest to turn the rebound from Ramos' effort past Kameni. Some decent runs bothered the home back four, but Benzema was below par for the most part.

Substitutes

MF James Rodriguez, 6 -- Came on for Isco with 25 minutes to play. His introduction coincided with Malaga's rally, and he spent most of his time helping out in defence.

MF Mateo Kovacic, 7 -- Came on for Casemiro in a double swap with James. Made a few runs at the back four and got stuck in with a couple of tackles.

MF Alvaro Morata, N/R -- Drew a save from Kameni late on with good footwork under pressure.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by ROB TRAIN

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