Oct 24, 2025, 4:44 PM UTC
Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid show clear identity changes per the data. Spanish outlet, _Diario AS_, provided insight using Wyscout data compiled by BeSoccer, which showed Madrid’s counter-pressing and control have replaced the need for ground coverage or more running. The team’s recoveries have risen sharply: total recoveries are up from 69.3 to 76.1 per game, opponent-half recoveries from 24.4 to 31.1, final-third recoveries from 4.2 to 5.5, and recoveries immediately after a loss from 28.8 to 35.5.
Possession has also climbed—from 60.5% to 64%, or 67.1% excluding the match at Anoeta when Madrid played over an hour with 10 men. The philosophy is clear: intensity without the ball to rest with it, pressing smarter instead of harder. As coaches often like to say, _“run 10 yards now, so you don’t have to run 50 yards later”_ .
Barcelona, meanwhile, have regressed slightly despite maintaining their high-possession style (up from 69.3% to 71.2%). Their recoveries, especially in advanced areas, have dipped across most categories. While Barca still run more—averaging 104.6 km to Madrid’s 98—the gap in effectiveness has narrowed. Distance covered really doesn’t matter — it’s not how far you run, but how well you do it.
Metric
Real Madrid 2024-25
(Ancelotti)
Real Madrid 2025-26
(Xabi Alonso)
Barcelona 2025-26
(Flick)
Distance Covered per Game (km)
101.9
**98.0**
**104.6**
Total Recoveries / Game
69.3
**76.1**
74.9
Recoveries in Opponent’s Half
24.4
**31.1**
28.9
Recoveries in Final Third
4.2
**5.5**
5.1
Recoveries After Loss
28.8
**35.5**
36.6
Average Possession (%)
60.5%
**64% (67.1% excl. Anoeta)**
**71.2%**
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