The stage is set for a thrilling encounter as Real Madrid travels to the Metropolitano to face off against Atlético de Madrid on Wednesday at 21:00 hours. Having emerged victorious by a margin of 2-1 in the first leg just a week ago, the Whites will be seeking to consolidate their win and secure a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals for the fifth consecutive edition. Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s squad will be looking to pull off a historic upset and eliminate their eternal rivals for the first time in the tournament’s history.
For Real Madrid, the Champions League remains the primary objective, with the team aiming to claim its 16th trophy this year. However, coach Carlo Ancelotti will need to tighten the screws on defense, as his team has been conceding an average of 1.45 goals in the premier continental competition. Notably, since the European Cup was rebranded as the Champions League in the 1991/92 season, no team has won the championship with such a high rate of goals conceded.
Injuries have taken a toll on Real Madrid this season, with players like Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, while David Alaba has seen limited action, and Lucas Vázquez has also spent time in the infirmary. Even Antonio Rüdiger was sidelined last week, leaving the team’s defense in a precarious state.
Unsustainable Numbers
While Inter Milan has conceded only one goal in nine Champions League matches, Real Madrid has allowed 15 goals in 11 games. The Whites have managed to keep a clean sheet only against Brest in the final matchday of the group stage, securing a 0-3 victory. As they head into the second leg of their round-of-16 tie, Ancelotti’s men have the dubious distinction of being the 22nd team to have conceded the most goals, with 16. Even Girona, which was eliminated in the group stage, allowed only 9 goals in 8 matches.
If we take a broader view and consider all competitions, Real Madrid has already conceded 51 goals, one more than their total from the previous season when they won the Champions League. This striking statistic underscores the team’s defensive vulnerabilities and highlights the need for urgent improvement.
A Similar Precedent: Manchester United
In the 1998/99 season, Manchester United won the Champions League despite conceding an average of 1.45 goals per game in the group stage and subsequent knockouts. However, it’s worth noting that they had played a qualifying round against LKS Lodz, in which they didn’t concede any goals, which brings their overall average down to 1.23. United allowed 11 goals in 6 matches and kept only one clean sheet in their five playoff games. In contrast, Real Madrid has already conceded goals in their three playoff matches, following a group stage where they allowed 12 goals in 8 matches.
It’s interesting to note that Manchester United didn’t even top their group that season, finishing behind Bayern Munich, whom they eventually defeated in the final at the Camp Nou. Real Madrid, on the other hand, finished 11th in their group, forcing them to play an additional round against Manchester City.
Real Madrid’s Defensive Record in Their Last 9 Champions League Titles
Under the current competition format, the Whites have won the Champions League nine times, with varying degrees of defensive solidity. In four of those championships, they conceded an average of less than one goal per game, while in the other five, they exceeded that threshold. Here’s a breakdown of their defensive record in those title-winning campaigns:
- 2024: 15 goals in 13 matches (1.15 average)
- 2022: 14 goals in 13 matches (1.08 average)
- 2018: 16 goals in 13 matches (1.23 average)
- 2017: 18 goals in 13 matches (1.38 average)
- 2016: 6 goals in 13 matches (0.46 average)
- 2014: 10 goals in 13 matches (0.77 average)
- 2002: 14 goals in 17 matches (0.82 average)
- 2000: 23 goals in 17 matches (1.35 average)
- 1998: 5 goals in 11 matches (0.45 average)
Ancelotti’s Impressive Record in Knockout Ties
In the short term, Real Madrid’s objective is to eliminate Atlético de Madrid and set up a quarterfinal clash with Arsenal. Beyond their historical dominance over their city rivals in the Champions League, there’s another encouraging statistic for the Madrid faithful. Under Ancelotti’s guidance, the team has participated in 24 two-legged knockout ties, winning 20 and losing only 4. Those defeats came against Juventus (2015) and Manchester City (2023) in Europe, as well as Atlético de Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup (2014) and the Copa del Rey (2015). This impressive record in knockout ties will undoubtedly give Real Madrid a boost of confidence as they seek to overcome their defensive woes and make a deep run in the Champions League.