Real Madrid’s derby defeat exposes gaps in the squad
Real Madrid’s loss to Atletico highlighted the white team’s current vulnerabilities. Relegation would have been the worst-case scenario, turning the opener into a brutal test of both strategy and resilience for Carlo Ancelotti and his squad, with all eyes fixed on the manager. The setback appeared to reflect a relationship that has carried over from last season. Ancelotti pivoted from his plan and leaned on the familiar move of starting Modric and Kroos. Kroos contributed the only goal for the waiting team, signaling a moment to reorient and push forward toward a victory against UD Las Palmas, scheduled for today at 19:00.
Once again, a midfielder sparked a response from a side that has endured moments of adversity. Meanwhile, the La Liga table remains led by a former Madrid player like Morata, who tallied a brace in the derby, bringing his total to five goals this season. Other Madrid-associated scorers across the league include tops from Almería (four goals), Kubo from Real Sociedad (four), Borja Mayoral (Getafe, three), Hugo Duro (Valencia, three), and Willian José (Betis, three).
From Bellingham’s misfiring shot to Alaba’s duel with Camavinga
Real Madrid’s attack has often relied on the energetic drive of Bellingham, yet the season has presented uneven stretches for the English forward. In the derby, he operated out of his usual position and finished the match with a reckless challenge on Correa. Joselu, the club’s central forward, contributed two goals, while Kroos, Valverde, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo added one apiece. This pattern underscores the broader issue: Madrid’s offensive output has struggled to mirror the team’s ambitions against a rival known for compact defending.
The current scenario for Rodrygo underscores the team’s struggles. He scored his first league goal of the season against Athletic, but a long drought followed, culminating in a disappointing run. Opta data show Rodrygo registering a single goal after 25 La Liga attempts, a 4% conversion rate that places him among Europe’s least efficient top-tier scorers. That benchmark compares unfavorably with Marcus Rashford and Eberechi Eze, who managed marginally better success rates despite similar shot volumes.
Real Madrid’s reliance on a handful of players during key matches has been a recurring theme this campaign. The club’s overall conversion rate across the top five European leagues remains a concern, with Madrid recording a relatively modest goals-to-shots ratio. The presence of a prolific scorer up front remains critical, especially as several teammates from the squad have moved on or shifted roles in the attack.
Arsenal and France’s tight records
Rodrygo’s situation is illustrative rather than isolated. The white squad, based on recent statistics, sits among the lower echelons for effective finishing. If the top five teams from La Liga, the Premier League, the Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1 are treated as benchmarks, Ancelotti’s team ranks near the bottom in shot-to-goal efficiency. Madrid’s 11 goals this season emerged from 86 shots on target across competitions observed in recent metrics.
In comparison, Arsenal’s tally reflects 62 shots on target resulting in 11 goals in their league play, a conversion rate around 17.7%. Among other top European squads, Juventus, Inter, and Lecce show rates hovering around the 17–20% range, while French leaders such as Stade Brestois demonstrate that efficiency can vary widely even among successful clubs. La Liga, as a league, sits in a middle ground, with teams averaging around the 9% to 10% mark in shoot-to-goal accuracy, and other leagues showing similar fluctuations. Overall, the league landscape demonstrates a broad spectrum of scoring efficiency across Europe.
Like many of Madrid’s contemporaries, the squad faces a need to rethink the balance between attack and playmaking. The league’s current statistics suggest a performance gap compared to Europe’s best clubs, with the Madrid side needing sharper finishing and smarter shot selection to lift overall effectiveness.
Atletico’s efficiency and Madrid’s comparative struggles
Madrid also trails behind Atletico in terms of scoring efficiency. When juxtaposed with Barcelona’s higher conversion rate and Girona’s even stronger performance, Real Madrid sits below the leaders’ marks. This discrepancy highlights how a single setback can illuminate deeper structural issues, rather than a temporary dip in form. As Madrid evaluates its attacking dynamics, it faces the reality that the squad’s output must improve to compete at the highest level across the season.
Unstoppable Girona upset Mallorca
Girona’s performance has stood out in a season that sees Athletic Club also performing well in accuracy, suggesting that some teams are exploiting efficiency advantages in front of goal. Madrid’s recent results echo a broader picture: scoring records have declined and must be addressed if the club hopes to challenge the top spots in the standings. The early departure of Karim Benzema still echoes in the collective production, with other forwards mustering fewer points toward the goal tally.
Missing forwards: From Morata to Mayoral
Madrid’s failure to convert opportunities remains stark as the club observes the spread of goal scorers across La Liga. Morata, after a standout performance, has emerged as the league’s top scorer with five goals in six matches, a role that is fueling his leadership with the national team and a reaffirmation of his influence beyond Real Madrid. Outside the club, Take Kubo has been making his mark, retaining a stake in Madrid’s long-term plans even as he showcases his evolving talent elsewhere.
The Japanese forward has four goals so far this season, a sign that Madrid continues to rely on youth to maintain momentum. In the same vein, Arribas’s journey—amid a crowded Castilla pipeline—has taken him toward playing time elsewhere, such as Almería. One of Arribas’s goals came against his former club, while other names like Borja Mayoral, Hugo Duro, and Willian José have all contributed at various stops in Europe. These outcomes reflect the broader challenge for Madrid: to cultivate internal talent that can reliably contribute to the first team when called upon.
The recurring pattern in Madrid’s results underscores the need for tactical adjustments and more consistent finishing. As the season progresses, the club will need to rebalance its attack to translate possession and chances into decisive goals, closing the gap to Europe’s elite teams and reclaiming status as a perennial title challenger.