Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images
Real Madrid’s physical numbers have come under scrutiny after data showed Jose Mourinho’s side covers less ground than any other team in La Liga, but Marc Cucurella has questioned how much those statistics actually reveal.
Madrid are averaging 104.3 kilometres per match this season, the lowest figure among the division’s 20 teams.
The statistic has attracted increased attention following defeats to Real Betis and Atletico Madrid.
Cucurella, speaking to El Larguero, admitted the numbers surprised him because his experience does not match the perception created by the data.
Cucurella questions Real Madrid running statistics
The Real Madrid defender was directly asked about the team’s position at the bottom of La Liga’s distance rankings.
His initial reaction was one of surprise, before he pointed towards the amount of running he believes the players are actually doing during matches.
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
Cucurella is quite astonished by the data. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
“We’re the team that runs the least in La Liga?
“That surprises me, because we actually run a lot. Maybe those stats are talked about now because we lost the derby and we lost to Betis.
**“If we had won every game, nobody would be talking about that.**“
The understanding of the stats is quite important because total distance measures every movement made during a match, including walking, jogging, recovery runs and higher-intensity actions.
That means the figure alone does not necessarily indicate how hard a team is working or how effectively it is using its physical output.
Real Madrid still need to address the numbers
Cucurella did not dismiss the statistics altogether, though. Instead, he suggested Real Madrid may have to respond to them through their performances.
Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
After two defeats, Cucurella admits Real Madrid need to improve. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
The defender acknowledged that there could be room for improvement, particularly after the defeats that have brought greater attention to the team’s physical profile.
“But in the end, the stats are there, so we have to improve them, or we have to win every game so these stats aren’t as talked about.
“Maybe we have to give a bit more effort and improve things a bit,” he concluded.
As put by the defender, Real Madrid’s low distance figures are indeed surprising, but their relevance becomes greater when the team is also dropping points.
Mourinho’s side are not necessarily being accused of simply refusing to run; rather, the data raises questions about the volume and intensity of their work compared with the rest of La Liga.
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images
As we approach the first international break of the season, there has much chatter around Vinicius Jr. and his form so far.
The Brazilian international, after signing a lucrative contract in the summer, has struggled to produce the goods in the final third, having scored just once this season.
Vinicius’ form has led many to believe that Jose Mourinho’s patience could be running thin, especially with Yan Diomande, Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz also vying for places in the starting eleven.
The statistics paint a worrying picture of just how far Vinicius has fallen below his usual standards.
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid player
Vinicius Jr. has underperformed this season. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The Brazilian trails La Liga’s top scorer Raphinha by 12 goals, and is six behind both Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.
When factoring in total attacking contributions of goals and assists combined, Vinicius sits a lowly 16th in La Liga.
The root of the problem lies in his inability to threaten the goal. Only 27.3% of his shots hit the target, placing him 58th among all La Liga players.
Struggles across the board
Vinicius’ issues are not limited to his finishing, with his all-round numbers also falling short.
Just 79.4% of his passes have found their target, ranking him 255th in the division, while only 42.9% of his attempted dribbles have been successful, placing him 44th.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid
Vinicius Jr. must improve after the break. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
For a player whose game is built on beating his man, that dribbling return is particularly alarming.
If we compare these numbers to Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, it makes for a worse reading.
Mbappe boasts a dribble success rate 61% , while Dembele tops the charts with a completion rate of up to 72% in the minutes he has played.
Those numbers underline the extent of Vinicius’ struggles and go some way to explaining why Mourinho has been quick to substitute him in recent matches.
The Brazilian has been withdrawn in four consecutive games.
That said, recent reports still indicate that Mourinho rates the player highly and believes he can come back in the coming matches. Whether or not that happens shortly after the international break remains to be seen.