20.05.2017 » Real Madrid within touching distance of an amazing double!
A 4-1 win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday night means that Real Madrid need only a point from their final domestic game of the season to clinch their first La Liga title since 2012. An away day at Malaga is the final hurdle for the capital city side in their efforts to become Spanish champions for the second time in nine years. Add to this an upcoming UEFA Champions League final against Juventus in Cardiff and the Merengues can record a momentous domestic-European double for the first time in 59 years! Can these players go all the way and write their names in history books once again? Two finals left!
Real Madrid vs Juventus - Champions League final promo:
The influence that Zinedine Zidane has had over this Real Madrid squad cannot be overstated and the former playmaker clearly commands the respect of the players.
While the Santiago Bernabéu side have fallen short over the years due to a lack of cohesion, the French coach has settled on a system that works and the players are all singing from the same hymnsheet.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the current Ballon d'Or holder, was again the driving force in the win over Celta at Balaidos, scoring twice and demanding his team secured victory. The Portuguese superstar continues to be the best player on the planet and can add two more major pieces of silverware to his venerable list of achievements before the end of the month.
Malaga are the only potential stumbling block to domestic success and although the Andalusian side are sitting in mid-table and have nothing to play for, they should not be written off. Michel's team have shown their threat at home already in recent times, with the Rosaleda outfit beating Barcelona 2-0 in April. Malaga possess an in-form attacking weapon in Sandro Ramirez, whose Catalan ties mean he will surely be motivated to turn Madrid's dream into a nightmare this Sunday.
Barcelona play Eibar at Camp Nou at the same time and can be expected to win at a canter, but in any case, a point will always be enough for Zidane's men to be Spanish champions.
However, with Madrid three points ahead of Luis Enrique's side, should the unthinkable happen and Los Blancos lose and the Blaugrana win, Barcelona would lift the La Liga trophy due to their superior Clasico record this season.
Looking forward to the Champions League final in Cardiff, a very able Juventus lie in wait for the Spanish giants. The Italian champions are closing in on an amazing treble, with the Coppa Italia secured, Serie A almost won and 90 minutes standing in the way of the Bianconeri completing the feat.
Juventus has always been renowned for their steadfast defence and this team is no different, with experienced campaigners such as Gianluigi Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini the best in the world at what they do. However, the Turin giants have a newfound attacking menace that could hurt Madrid, with Paulo Dybala an undoubted star, Miralem Pjanic pulling the strings in midfield and former Santiago Bernabéu striker Gonzalo Higuain, the cutting edge.
Real Madrid will go into the game as slight favourites given the firepower they possess, but a snatch and grab Juventus victory is always a worrying possibility.
With Ronaldo fit, firing and on form, the Portuguese superstar and his Madrid team will be motivated to finish this season with overarching success - 180 minutes stand between them and an amazing campaign...
Cristiano Ronaldo next game is a La Liga fixture on May 17 of 2017 against Celta de Vigo. You can watch Juventus live stream, Malaga vs Real Madrid, Barcelona vs Eibar, Bradford vs Millwall, Leicester City vs Tottenham, and Borussia Dortmund vs Werder Bremen, all matches provided from our live football game pages.
Real Madrid next game:
Malaga vs Real Madrid kick-off time (21-05-2017):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 02:00
Jakarta (Indonesia) | UTC/GMT+7: 01:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 23:30
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+2: 20:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+1: 19:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 15:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 14:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 11:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / fourfourtwo.com / bbc.com / marca.com
