Stats: Real Madrid’s bench sees little action but delivers maximum impact | OneFootball

One of the most common criticisms directed at Carlo Ancelotti is his reluctance to make substitutions.

He often waits too long before making changes and rarely uses all five substitutions available to him.

On the rare occasions when he does, it tends to happen in matches where Real Madrid already have a comfortable lead, primarily to give minutes to squad players rather than as a tactical necessity.

Statistics backing the claim

The statistics support this perception. Among all La Liga teams, Real Madrid are the one who utilise their substitutes the least, falling significantly behind its main title rivals, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

Real Madrid make the fewest substitutions. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Both of these teams boast equally strong squads with quality depth, yet their managers rely on substitutes far more frequently. The numbers reveal that Real Madrid’s bench players have accumulated only 1,529 minutes.

In stark contrast, Atletico Madrid lead this category, with Diego Simeone handing his substitutes a combined total of 3,025 minutes over 116 appearances—more than double the playing time afforded to Real Madrid’s bench.

This approach has worked well for Simeone, as his substitutes have made a significant impact. Atletico Madrid’s bench players have scored 14 goals and provided 12 assists, contributing to 26 goals in total, meaning they have been involved in a goal every 116 minutes.

Barcelona, meanwhile, rank eighth in terms of substitute usage, with their bench players accumulating 2,350 minutes of playing time.

The results have been positive for the Catalan side as well, with their substitutes scoring 11 goals and providing five assists, contributing to a goal every 146 minutes.

Real Madrid’s substitutes deliver

Despite using his bench less frequently, Ancelotti can at least take comfort in the fact that when his substitutes do get an opportunity, they tend to deliver.

Real Madrid’s bench players have contributed four goals and five assists, meaning they have played a role in a goal every 170 minutes. This places them fourth in La Liga in terms of substitute impact, behind Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Villarreal.

Brahim Diaz has been an impact sub for Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

One standout performer in this regard has been Brahim Diaz. The attacking midfielder has made a notable impact when coming off the bench, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

This trend started early in the season, as he made an immediate impact in the second league match against Valladolid, scoring one goal and assisting another after coming on as a substitute.

Later in the season, during the match against Osasuna, he registered another assist from the bench. However, as the campaign progressed, Brahim’s increased involvement in the starting lineup reduced his opportunities to contribute as a substitute.

Other players who have made meaningful contributions from the bench include Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior, both of whom have recorded one goal and one assist each.

Young forward Endrick has also managed to find the back of the net as a substitute, while Marco Asensio has provided an assist from the bench.

While Ancelotti’s hesitance to utilise his substitutes more frequently remains a talking point, the numbers indicate that when he does turn to his bench, those players often make their presence felt.

However, in a season where squad depth is crucial, his reluctance to rotate more could be seen as a missed opportunity, especially when compared to Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, who have have successfully integrated their substitutes into the team’s overall performance.