LaLiga is still marked by the goal, but in this season rather for those who do not get involved. Defensive strength trumps scoring efficiency of the teams. Proof of this are Atlético de Madrid and Real Sociedad, which despite not neglecting their success in the face of the opposing goal, have a lock in their own area and are the two teams that have conceded the least so far. Bell. And this reason is very much to blame for both being the two clubs that right now are fighting to lead the First classification. The Real Madrid-Barcelona binomial that has dominated Spain for almost the entire 21st century remains behind.
The cantenaccio has gone from being Italian to Spanish. LaLiga Santander clubs they want to avoid any risk of making a mistake and they want to protect themselves, leaving the offensive approach a bit forgotten. Hence, the scoring average in the First Division suffers a constant decline season after season. In this edition, the average is 2.37 goals per game (the worst of the five major leagues), lower than the previous season (2.47) and than five years ago (2.94). It is true that there are variables that influence this record, such as the departure of Cristiano and Neymar or that Messi cannot maintain his figures from previous years. This can serve as an excuse for the downturn of whites and azulgranas. Madrid is fourth, six points behind Atlético despite the fact that Zidane's men have played one more game; Barcelona, meanwhile, is ninth, with fourteen points. That is to say, the decline is closer, to three points, than the leadership, to twelve.
In addition to the loss of tino in the face of goal and the fact that the peas no longer fall out of the pockets of Madrid and Barcelona, it has been added that they find teams more defensively strengthened. It is no longer worth having the ball to win. Proof of this is that both have stumbled when they have had overwhelming possession. Madrid had a 75% dominance of the ball against Cádiz (lost 0-1); against Valencia (defeat, 4-1) of 65% and Alavés (defeat, 1-2) of 68%. Barcelona, very similar: they fell 1-0 against Getafe with 73% possession; they tied against Alavés with 79% and succumbed to Cádiz with a resounding 82%. He also had more control of the ball than his rival in the duels against Madrid (52%) and Atlético (54%), but it didn't help them either., since in both parties they were defeated.
From a Cádiz 'giant killer' to the example of Atlético and Real Sociedad
One of the coincidences in the missteps of whites and Catalans is Cádiz. Characterized by his defensive game that he managed to win this weekend at Barcelona. This is how his coach, Álvaro Cervera, defended his 18% possession and his style of protecting himself behind: “Barcelona need possession of the ball to win, we don't, because it's not easy. You have to have players who know how to play two or one touch. I am against teams that impose possession knowing that they cannot carry it out. “He added:”It so happens that the games in which we have defended best we have won, and in which we have attacked best we have lost. You have to defend Barcelona well in order to beat them, because they are very good. Getting to the penalty spot can be avoided. “
That defensive strength has helped the Cadiz team to be fifth. Europa League area. Although we must take into account the heights of the season, that the classification is somewhat distorted due to the lack of several games to be played (those postponed in the first two days) and that the objective of Cádiz is permanence. But there they are, being a hindrance to the greatest. But they are not the ones that shine the most for their defensive side, they are Atlético and Real Sociedad.
The rojiblancos come from campaigns in which their strength stood out behind. Loved and criticized style, which is helping them to be at the top of the rankings and as a firm candidate for the title. In ten games they have only managed to conceal two goals. This figure is slightly higher than that of Real Sociedad, who have received 5 goals. Simeone and Alguacil have managed to create two solid blocks in defense and that their teams are among those that receive the fewest shots on goal: 26 to the txuri-urdines and 34 to the rojiblancos. Only those of Garitano (25) receive fewer shots between the three clubs. In addition, we must highlight the strength of its goalkeepers. Oblak for 90.48% of the shots made within the area and Remiro for 69%. To which we must add that both teams, together with Sevilla, are the only ones who have not managed to receive a goal from outside the area. That is, to mark them they have to overcome the defensive framework, sneak into the area and beat two highly guaranteed goalkeepers. Not easy for rivals.
Football is becoming more of a blackboard. In the World Cup in Russia there was a trend that more and more goals were scored in strategy plays. But to avoid it they have used the same medicine. Better prepare those types of plays. So much that the level of set pieces goals has fallen from 34% to 24% in one season.
The bolt gave the last League to Madrid
Although this season that defensive character is being put more in value in the game, last season was already decisive for the achievement of the title by Real Madrid. Zidane managed that his team managed to be safe behind and that Courtois kept a clean sheet 18 times throughout LaLiga. That helped Madrid to be the team with the fewest goals (25 conceded in 38 games), despite scoring 16 fewer than Barcelona (86). That defensive virtue was once again praised in the whites last weekend after they managed to beat Sevilla by the minimum.
Solid behind and accurate in the rival area
Although the defensive strength of Atlético and Real Sociedad, their offensive side must also be valued. Both are the teams with the most First goals. La Real accumulate 22 goals and the rojiblancos 21. More than Barcelona (20), Real Madrid and Valencia (17). They are also players like Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad, 7 goals), Aspas (Celta, 6), Gerard Moreno (Villarreal, 6), João Félix (Atlético, 5), Luis Suárez (Atlético, 5) and Alcácer (Villarreal, 5) those who occupy the first positions of top scorers. Gone are Benzema, Messi and Ansu Fati (4 goals).