Primera Division
Barça loses: Real Madrid become Spanish champions early
Real won 3-0 against relegation-threatened FC Cadiz. photo
© Manu Fernandez/AP/dpa
Real Madrid welcomes FC Bayern Munich for the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals as Spanish football champions.
The team around German national players Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger won their home game against FC Cadiz 3-0 (0-0). Since FC Girona then defeated FC Barcelona, previously second in the table, 4:2 (1:2), Real can no longer be pushed out of first place in the remaining four match days in the Primera Division.
Four days before the semi-final second leg in the premier class against Munich, Ancelotti again rested numerous regular players in the league, including Kroos and Rüdiger as well as Jude Bellingham, who was later substituted. The Belgian national goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made his comeback after a month-long break due to a torn cruciate ligament. Brahim Diaz (51st minute), ex-Dortmunder Bellingham (68th) and Joselu (90th + 3) scored the goals for Real.
Real now have 87 points as leaders. Girona is now second in the table with 74 points ahead of Barcelona (73). Barça was leading 2-1 at the break after goals from Andreas Christensen (3rd) and Robert Lewandowski (45th+1) as well as a goal from Artem Dovbyk (4th). In the second half, Portu (65th/75th) turned the game in favor of the hosts with a brace and Miguel Gutierrez (67th).