Real Madrid’s Champions League crisis – How opponents are leaving them in the dust | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s disappointing season has been marred by several weaknesses, not least of which is their inability to defend with the same authority and dominance they once did.

However, a recent comparison, relayed by AS, paints a troubling picture of a team that has lost its intensity and commitment, both on and off the ball.

In the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona ran an impressive 115.7 kilometers.

Contrast that with Real Madrid’s performance in their resounding 3-0 defeat to Arsenal. According to official UEFA data, Madrid covered just 101.2 kilometers during the match, 14.5 kilometers fewer than Barcelona.

This gap in work rate is significant and paints a concerning picture of a team that looks less engaged and less determined to chase down their opponents.

How did Madrid fare against Arsenal?

Even more concerning is the fact that Arsenal, despite not being viewed as an overwhelming force this season, outworked Madrid both on the scoreboard and in terms of distance covered.

Real Madrid are lacking commitment. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

They covered 113.9 kilometers, a difference of 12.7 kilometers compared to Real Madrid.

This lack of commitment is not just a one-off incident. Over the course of the season, Real Madrid have consistently found themselves on the back foot in terms of distance covered.

In fact, in eight of the previous 12 matches this season, their opponents have run more than Madrid.

The game against Arsenal was the one in which Madrid covered the least distance—6.3 kilometers fewer than their season average of 107.5 kilometers.

A worrying trend?

This disparity in effort is becoming a worrying trend. On average, Real Madrid’s opponents have run 7.4 kilometers more per game, further highlighting the fact that they are not working as hard as the teams around them.

The only exception to this trend was a narrow win against Atalanta, where Madrid managed to cover 115.6 kilometers, just slightly edging out their opponents’ 114.9 kilometers.

For a team with aspirations of winning the Champions League, these numbers are a stark reminder of the challenges they face. Real Madrid’s once-revered intensity, particularly in European competition, is clearly lacking, and it is costing them.