Real Madrid have a 15-point lead at the top of LaLiga and if they open that up by just one more, Carlo Ancelotti will have won the title by the biggest margin in the club's history.
It is an understatement to say inviting him to return from Everton last summer was a masterstroke. They have feasted so voraciously on their rivals that he could enjoy his post-title cigar a full four games before the end of the season.
It was fitting that he was seen smoking it on the open top bus that toured the city on Saturday night surrounded by four players who illustrate perfectly the job he has done.