Real Madrid News
Stat attack: Real Madrid rank rock bottom in key metric in La Liga this season
Real Madrid are heading into the international break with more questions than answers, having recently fallen to a 2-1 defeat to rivals Atletico Madrid.
Jose Mourinho’s men have already lost two matches so far this campaign and, perhaps more importantly, the team has barely shown any signs of cohesion.
The team has underperformed despite having one of the most decorated rosters in all of Europe.
Real Madrid running the least in LaLiga
According to data from Sofascore, Real Madrid are the team that runs the least in LaLiga so far this season.
Across the opening seven matchdays, Los Blancos have covered an average of just 83.46 kilometres per match, the lowest figure in the entire division.
To put that into perspective, they are running around 10 kilometres less per game than the league average of 93.37 kilometres.
The contrast with Barcelona is even more striking. Hansi Flick’s side rank second in the metric with an average of 104.64 kilometres.
That means Real Madrid cover a staggering 21 kilometres less than their title rivals every game. Elche top the chart at 105.61 kilometres.
While distance covered is not the sole measure of a team’s quality, the numbers offer a telling insight into the lack of intensity that has plagued Real Madrid in the early weeks of the campaign.
A worrying trend for Mourinho
The statistic reinforces many of the criticisms levelled at Real Madrid this season, particularly the sense that the side lacks energy and collective effort.
Pundits and former players alike have questioned the team’s work rate, with the likes of Alvaro Benito recently pointing out that the problems runs deeper than coaches and players.
The concern is that Real Madrid’s star-studded attackers, including Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, are not contributing enough off the ball, leaving the team disjointed.
Mourinho himself has repeatedly stressed the importance of everyone working as a unit, and these figures suggest his message is yet to fully translate onto the pitch.
With Real Madrid five points adrift of Barcelona, the international break offers Mourinho a valuable window to address these shortcomings.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
