Real Madrid sealed their 34th LaLiga title on Thursday with a 2-1 win over Villarreal at a sweltering Alfredo di Stefano in the suburbs of Madrid.

Zidane’s side have been irresistibly unspectacular since the return of football and it was in that same style that they won their 10th game in a row and marched to another trophy under their French manager.

Zidane, often almost accused of having some secret formula for success that he refuses to divulge, has done it again.

Despite intense late pressure from the hosts, though, Madrid held firm, and as the final whistle blew on a crucial 2-1 victory, Zidane let out an almighty roar.

“That scream at the end was only normal,” he said afterwards, “because you suffer a lot.”

Indeed, this wasn’t an expression of joy but a cry of defiance, because Zidane and Real have suffered a lot over the past two years.

And now, following their 2-1 win over Villarreal on Thursday, that suffering has paid off.

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