15 in a row - Zidane's Madrid look prepared to battle Barca for the title

7 years ago

15 in a row - Zidane's Madrid look prepared to battle Barca for the title

Real racked up yet another victory by beating Osasuna 5-2 at the Bernabeu on Saturday and their goal this season must be success in La Liga
Fifteen in a row. Since losing the derby at home to Atletico in late February, Real Madrid have won all of their fixtures in La Liga. The run of 12 wins at the end of last term saw Los Blancos push Barcelona to the wire - and this time they look likely to challenge again.

Madrid have not won the Primera Division since 2011-12. Back then, Jose Mourinho was in charge and the team accumulated a joint-record 100 points. But since that triumph, there have been three titles for Barca and one for Atletico. Los Blancos, with 32 championships in their history, are being made to wait for the 33rd.

This season may see that wait end. "La Liga is our biggest priority," Zidane said on Friday. "Everything is important, but it's what we are working towards every day."

And so it should be. Madrid have claimed the Champions League twice over the past three seasons and that remains the most prestigious prize in club football, but the club have gone without success in their domestic league for too long.

Saturday's 5-2 win over Osasuna was rarely in doubt. Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the starting line-up and scored within six minutes, before goals from Danilo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Luka Modric made it 5-0. After that, the visitors pulled a couple back and also saw a penalty saved late in the game as Zidane made changes ahead of the Champions League clash against Sporting CP on Wednesday.

It was a 15th successive win in La Liga, including a 2-1 victory at Camp Nou back in April. In the process, Madrid have scored 49 goals and conceded 12. It is the club's finest streak since 1961 and one more win will make it the best Liga run in their entire history. Given that their next Primera Division fixture is away to Espanyol next Sunday, it seems likely they will achieve it.

"We are going to try and continue our run," Zidane said on Saturday. "There are many games ahead, but we have a big squad and we will see what we need to do in each game."

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Barcelona strengthened well in the summer and will be a tough rival again this term, while Atletico are back on track following their shaky start, having thrashed Celta Vigo 4-0 away from home earlier on Saturday.

So it will be anything but easy. However, after several disappointing seasons in La Liga, Zidane's Madrid look ready to challenge for the title and are perhaps prepared to bring back the trophy for the first time since 2012.

More than anything else, and even the Champions League, that should be the priority now.