Decoding five key factors in Real Madrid's La Liga title triumph

Real Madrid clinched the Spanish title on Saturday for the fourth time in 12 years beating Cadiz 30 before previous champions Barcelona lost 42 at Girona Carlo Ancelottis side romped clear of last seasons winners and shock challengers Girona to clinch their recordextending 36th La Liga trophy MidDay breaks down the keys to Los Blancos domestic success this seasonBrilliant Bellingham Nobody expected Jude Bellingham to have such an instant impact in Spain after his move from Borussia Dortmund last summer The England international quickly established himself as a key player in attacking areas for Madrid with ten goals in his first ten league matches replacing the departed Karim Benzema Although his numbers have dipped in the second half of the campaign Bellingham remains Los Blancos top scorer with 18 in La Liga and Ancelotti also regularly exalts his strong work ethicCatalan capitulation Barcelona looked revitalised last season under Xavi Hernandez but the champions struggled badly in the first half of the season Their previously rocksolid defence gave way with alarming regularity and Madrids consistency falling to just one defeat in the whole campaign to date made their march to the title feel an inevitability Barcelona found new life after January but it was too little too late for Madrids archrivalsMentality matters Real Madrid are admired for their neversaydie attitude and assuredness in big matches In their key La Liga battles against Girona and Barcelona they triumphed on every occasion Ancelottis side hammered Girona 30 in September in a show of strength and then crushed the Catalan minnows 40 in February to completely deflate their title bid Against Barcelona Bellingham delivered stoppagetime winners in both league matchups firing Madrid to a 21 away triumph in October and a 32 victory in April at the Santiago Bernabeu And when Madrid were not playing well in some of the lowerkey matches they managed at least to draw To win a league the games you cant win you cant lose either noted AncelottiAlso Read Thatrsquos Real goodDurable defence Real Madrid were dealt multiple setbacks this season in defence with Thibaut Courtois Eder Militao and David Alaba all sidelined with longterm injuries Despite that they boast the strongest record at the back in La Liga Antonio Rudiger has raised his level to marshal the defence while rightback Dani Carvajal is in arguably the best form of his career Defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has dropped into the back line without fuss when required and always looked solid despite playing out of position Madrids squad players have also contributed in key moments with Lucas Vazquez shining at rightback in the recent ClasicoCarlos calls Madrid coach Ancelotti has got his biggest decisions right this season The coachs first call was to deploy Bellingham as part of a threepronged attack with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes a role which his previous bosses had not envisioned for him The Italian managed Rodrygos issues in front of goal well keeping faith in the Brazilian who made a point of celebrating with his coach after ending his drought in November Ancelotti has slowly phased out ageing great Luka Modric while still calling on him at the right times He kept squad players including Brahim Diaz and Joselu involved and hungry and both scored against Cadiz on the day Madrid won La LigaWith AFP inputs