Real Madrid: Grading every unit from the 2019-2020 season

Defense

The argument can be made that Real Madrid boasted Europe’s best defense in 2019-2020. Los Blancos allowed only 19 goals in La Liga, fewer than Atletico Madrid’s 21 allowed. Liverpool allowed 21 goals as well, but they played in two more games, so that’s where the “argument” comes into play.

Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos remained an enviable center back pairing, with Eder Militao combining well with Varane at the heart of the defense when asked. Real Madrid were also strong defensively at the fullback positions, even accounting for Dani Carvajal‘s inconsistency. Ferland Mendy emerged as the best defensive left back in Europe’s top five leagues.

But the two best defenders for Los Blancos weren’t in the back four. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had a statistically stronger season than either Jan Oblak or Marc Andre ter Stegen in the same league, putting up more clean sheets with fewer goals allowed per 90 minutes. Courtois returned to world-class form and is arguably the best keeper in the world again.

Yet the most important player to Real’s defense – and their entire team – was a midfielder in Casemiro. A leader like Ramos and Varane, Casemiro was one of the most active, hard-working players in world football. The benchmark-setter at the defensive midfield position, Case averaged 3.3 tackles per game and 2.1 interceptions per game, per WhoScored.com.

Real Madrid were a finely-tuned machine defensively under Zinedine Zidane, and despite their woes in the attack, Los Blancos were among Europe’s best teams because of this disciplined defense.

The only thing keeping them from an A+ were late defensive breakdowns in big games, such as against PSG in November and Manchester City in March.

Grade: A