La Liga 2021–22 Season Review: Real Madrid's 35th Title
The 2021–22 La Liga season, spanning from August 13, 2021, to May 22, 2022, was a showcase of dominance, tactical shifts, and high-scoring drama. The campaign culminated in Real Madrid securing their 35th league title, cementing their place at the pinnacle of Spanish football.
Throughout the 380 matches played, the league witnessed a total of 951 goals, averaging 2.5 goals per match. While the battle for the trophy was the primary focus, the season also saw intense competition for European qualification and a desperate struggle for survival among the bottom-tier clubs.
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Key Facts
- Champions: Real Madrid (35th title)
- Best Player & Top Scorer: Karim Benzema (27 goals)
- Best Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou (0.77 goals per match)
- Relegated Teams: Granada, Levante, and Alavés
- Total Attendance: 8,675,104 spectators
- Highest Attendance: 86,422 (Barcelona vs. Real Madrid)
League Performance and European Qualification
Real Madrid led the charge, finishing the season with 86 points from 38 matches, boasting a goal difference of +49. They were followed by Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, who rounded out the top three. The top four teams secured qualification for the Champions League group stage, the most prestigious club competition in Europe.
The race for the Europa League (the second-tier European competition) was won by Real Betis and Real Sociedad, while Villarreal earned a spot in the Europa Conference League play-off round.
Final Standings Summary
| Position | Team | Played | Points | Goal Difference | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 38 | 86 | +49 | Champions League |
| 2 | Barcelona | 38 | 73 | +30 | Champions League |
| 3 | Atlético Madrid | 38 | 71 | +22 | Champions League |
| 4 | Sevilla | 38 | 70 | +23 | Champions League |
| 5 | Real Betis | 38 | 65 | +22 | Europa League |
Individual Brilliance and Awards
The season was defined by the exceptional form of Karim Benzema, who was named the Player of the Season. Benzema not only led the scoring charts with 27 goals but also contributed 12 assists, making him the most influential offensive player in the league.
In goal, Yassine Bounou of Sevilla claimed the Zamora Trophy, an award given to the goalkeeper with the lowest goals-to-games ratio, conceding only 0.77 goals per match over 31 appearances.
Top Performers
- Top Goalscorers: Karim Benzema (27), Iago Aspas (18), Raúl de Tomás (17).
- Top Assists: Ousmane Dembélé (13), Karim Benzema (12), Jordi Alba (10).
- Hat-tricks: 10 hat-tricks were recorded, including performances by Vinícius Júnior, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Marco Asensio.
Managerial Volatility and Team Dynamics
The 2021–22 season was marked by significant managerial turnover. High-profile changes included Xavi replacing Ronald Koeman at Barcelona and Carlo Ancelotti taking over from Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.
Discipline varied wildly across the league. Valencia recorded the most yellow cards (123), while Real Madrid maintained the cleanest record with the fewest yellow cards (76) and zero red cards for the entire season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2021–22 La Liga title?
Real Madrid won the championship, marking their 35th league title.
Which players were the top scorers of the season?
Karim Benzema was the top goalscorer with 27 goals, followed by Iago Aspas with 18 and Raúl de Tomás with 17.
Which teams were relegated to the Segunda División?
Granada, Levante, and Alavés were the three teams relegated at the end of the season.
Who won the Zamora Trophy for best goalkeeper?
Yassine Bounou of Sevilla won the trophy with an average of 0.77 goals conceded per match.
What was the highest attendance recorded during the season?
The highest attendance was 86,422 spectators for the match between Barcelona and Real Madrid on October 24, 2021.