Ancelotti hails Real Madrid 'commitment' after sealing record-extending 36th La Liga title

Carlo Ancelotti credited Real Madrid's La Liga title triumph to the "commitment and attitude" of his players after the Spanish giants sealed a record-extending 36th championship on Saturday night.

After beating Cadiz 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu, with second-half goals from Brahim Diaz, Jude Bellingham, and Joselu, Real needed Barcelona to drop points to Girona in the later game to clinch the title with four games remaining.

Girona duly delivered, twice fighting back to secure their second 4-2 victory over Barca this season, and in the process qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history, in only their fourth year in Spain's top flight.

"We're very happy and very content. It's a deserved La Liga in every way and we've had fantastic support from the fans," said Real manager Ancelotti, who added that celebrations will be kept to a minimum as his side prepare for the Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. The first leg in Munich ended 2-2.

"We would like to celebrate with all the fans, but they understand because on Wednesday we have a very important challenge. We want to prepare well to make the fans happy and we will celebrate the title together on Saturday. Now it's important to have a restrained celebration because Wednesday's objective is very important."

With the Bayern second leg in mind, Ancelotti only selected captain Nacho Fernandez from the starting line-up that earned the draw in Bavaria this week.

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois started for the first time after a nine-month lay-off with a knee injury and kept a clean sheet.

Madrid midfielder Luka Modric became the oldest player to appear for the club in La Liga, at 38 years and 238 days, breaking