Real Madrid 2019/20 Season Review

A closer look at the 2019/20 La Liga champions and their title win. How have they evolved since their last league title? How have they adapted since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo?

Over the past two seasons, Real Madrid have provided a case study for how teams ought to adapt to the departure of a talismanic player. Since star forward Cristiano Ronaldo left the club for Juventus in 2018/19 season, Zinedine Zidane’s side have undergone a marked and successful transformation. Madrid have shed their previously devastating attack-centered approach and evolved into a formidable defensive setup – a transition which bore ultimate fruit in their league-winning 2019/2020 campaign. This shift is clear when looking at the numbers in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Real Madrids current title win compared to their previous one.

Squad Profile

Interestingly, this transformation has not been entirely voluntary. Zidane has had to adapt to prolonged absences by some key attacking players. With the exception of Karim Benzema, the club’s forwards each racked up under 1,000 minutes of playing time during the season. Star signing Eden Hazard struggled with injuries all season long, forcing Zidane to rely on youngsters like Vinicius Jr. or underperformers like Gareth Bale (Figure 2). Compare this to 2016/17, Real Madrid’s star attacker, Cristiano Ronaldo, was virtually fit and in form for the entirety of the campaign (Figure 3).

Figure 2: Real Madrid Squad Age Profile (2019/20)

Figure 3: Real Madrid Squad Age Profile (2016/17)

Eden Hazard’s injury troubles

Hazard’s prolonged absences have come at a real cost. The Belgian was only able to start 14 league matches during the season, compromising Madrid’s ability to create and convert chances of high quality. When he’s been available, Los Blancos have been able to create and convert higher quality chances (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Real Madrid when Hazard has started v when he hasn’t

Midfield Balance

Madrid’s ability to successfully cope with Hazard’s injuries are a testament to the soundness of Zidane’s approach. This has relied on a four-man midfield setup employing one of Modric or Isco alongside Casemiro, Kroos and Valverde. With Valverde tending to occupy a wider position down the right, Madrid’s four-man midfield would often effectively operate in a traditional 4-3-3 shape when in possession. As a consequence, Madrid’s attack has suffered at times. We see an example of this in Figure 5 with Valverde pushing to the right to offer width and defensive stability.

Figure 5: Real Madrid’s usual midfield structure during 2019/20

Benzema’s Importance

While this has shifted much of the team’s offensive burden onto Karim Benzema, the Frenchman has been more than capable of shouldering the additional responsibility. Despite being in the twilight of his career at 32 years of age, Benzema has developed into much more of a focal point for Madrid’s attack than he was in previous seasons. He has managed to increase his direct goal contribution and presence in the opposition penalty area, whilst reducing his role as a facilitator. (Figure 6)

Figure 6: Karim Benzema’s change in becoming the focal point of Real Madrid’s attack.

Indeed, Benzema has undergone a huge transformation from a facilitator around the area, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to flourish, to the complete striker and an attacking spearhead. This transformation is a true testament of both his ability and intelligence. This transformation is visualized clearly in Figure 7. He is received in the box more and is more involved in Real Madrid’s goals and shots, whilst being less involved in passing the ball towards goal and dribbling.

Figure 7: Karim Benzema’s role transformation since 2016/17. Source: Smarterscout

Toni Kroos’ Revival

Toni Kroos has also enjoyed a highly impressive season, bouncing back markedly from an underwhelming 2018/2019 campaign. The former Bayern man has been key to Madrid’s buildup play, displaying his pedigree as one of the game’s finest progressive passers (Figure 8). Meanwhile, Casemiro’s solid presence has liberated Kroos to help Benzema shoulder the team’s attacking load. An overall wonderful season from the German.

Figure 8: Toni Kroos’ improvement since last season.

Casemiro & Defensive Structure

The key to Madrid’s successful season has undoubtedly been an improvement in the team’s defensive structure, anchored by the stifling mid-block structure provided by their four-man midfield. Madrid’s players have focused most of their pressing in the middle third of the pitch, primarily recovering the ball in the mid-to-low third. Madrid’s mid-block successfully nips attacks in the bud before the backline can be exposed to sustained opposition pressure, allowing opponents fewer deep completions and passes in the final third while limiting their exposure to positional and counter-attacks. (Figure 9)

Figure 9: Real Madrid’s defensive improvements.

Madrid’s midfield approach has benefited mightily from the performances of Casemiro, arguably Europe’s finest defensive midfielder in the 2019/2020 season (Figure 10). The Brazilian has anchored Los Blancos’ aggressive mid-block approach.

Figure 10: Casemiro’s brilliant defensive season.

The team will frequently allow the opposition to move the ball relatively freely within Madrid’s attacking third, but rely on Casemiro’s strength and positional sense to quickly and aggressively recover possession once the opposition attempts to penetrate the middle third of the pitch. Figures 11 and 12 are two examples of this approach. In both cases, Real Madrid successfully recover the ball in the middle third and prevent attacks before they even occur. This change has been key to their improvement.

Figure 11: Example 1 of Madrid’s mid-block structure.

Figure 12: Example 2 of Madrid’s mid-block structure.

Thibaut Courtois

Madrid’s impressive defensive performance owes further credit to standout seasons from each of the team’s backline starters. Varane, Mendy, Carvajal and Sergio Ramos each had brilliant seasons in 2019/2020. Meanwhile Thibaut Courtois has provided an exceptionally safe pair of hands in goal. The Belgian was one of the standout keepers in Europe in the 2019/2020 season, directly preventing a great number of goals. (Figure 13)

Figure 13: Thibaut Courtois’ 2019/20 season.

Conclusion

Overall, Real Madrid enjoyed one of their finest league seasons in recent years – a true testament to Zidane’s adaptability as manager. Should Los Blancos enjoy the services of a fully fit Eden Hazard moving forward, Madrid fans could be in for an exciting couple of seasons, particularly with a pipeline of talented young players looking to make their mark in the Spanish capital.

All data from FBref.com & Wyscout