Real Madrid is proving that defense wins trophies
By Ben Sundock
40 goals in 22 matches is nothing to write home about. But, for Real Madrid, the key to success during the 2019/2020 campaign has been built around clinical defense and scoring just enough to get by.
It doesn’t matter how you get there if you can in fact get there. That seems to be the motto for Real Madrid this season as the team continues to scrape by with not that many goals and a whole lot of focus on slowing down their opponents.
Manager Zinedine Zidane has relied on his in-form back four consisting of Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, and now mainly Ferland Mendy to lead the squad to yet another La Liga title.
Coupled with Thibaut Courtois’ video game like performances, Los Blancos find themselves atop the Spanish league with 16 matches left to play.
What is funny and interesting about Madrid’s current standing is that they have scored the fewest goals of any league leader in the big six leagues in Europe.
Liverpool sits atop the Premier League with 60 goals for, Bayern have had some trouble in the Bundesliga but sit in first with 58 goals to date, PSG leads Ligue 1 with 57 goals for, Benfica leads Liga NOS with 47 goals, and despite a slow start to the season for Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus leads Serie A with more goals than Real Madrid at 43.
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While the goals have been rather difficult to come by, Los Blancos boast the best defense in La Liga and have allowed the fewest goals of any of the five league leaders listed above with 13.
So, while the team scores on average just shy of two goals a match, they are allowing less than a goal a game and nearly just half a goal per game. Thanks to Courtois and the defensive approach to each match, Real Madrid has resorted to maintaining possession, being smart with the ball, and tracking back accordingly on counter attacking chances.
Unlike years past, the team prioritizes textbook defense over aggressive offense that could leave holes in the formation. Casemiro has been instrumental in helping the team reach this feat and he will have to keep his form up if the defense is to continue to dominate.
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Looking ahead to the Champions League clash with Manchester City at the end of this month, the biggest factor will be the defensive play of both teams rather than the power of the attack. Everyone is well aware of Sergio Aguerro, Kevin De Bruyne, and Raheem Sterling when City pushes forward quickly, but it is on the back end that Pep Guardiola’s men are weaker and can be exploited by Zizou.
Watch the highlights from Tottenham’s 2-0 victory over City this past weekend and you will realize what I mean. Despite possessing the ball for nearly 70 percent of the contest, Man City fell 2-0 and were too aggressive late in the match.