Madrid covered 11 kilometres less ground than Atleti
Saúl (13.08 km), Gabi (12.26) and Koke (12.25) were Simeone’s most mobile players in the derby. Only Toni Kroos broke the 11-kilometre mark in Zidane’s team according to LaLiga Stats.
“When you play against a side who played three days ago, you need to do more, run more, put your chances away”. Zidane wasn’t holding back during his post-match press conference, and the Frenchman’s comments were backed up by the data. According to LaLiga Stats, which collates data from the Spanish top flight, Real Madrid covered 11 kilometres less ground than Atlético at the Bernabéu. Los Blancos ran 108 kilometres compared with the Los Rojiblancos’ 119. The difference is even more alarming given that Simeone’s charges were in midweek action against PSV and only had 58 hours to recover for Saturday’s derby encounter.
Taking a look at the individual performances, the high work rate by the visitors in the middle of the park tells its own story. Simeone’s three most proficient blades of grass covers were Saúl (13.08 km), Gabi (12.26) and Koke (12.25). Toni Kroos clocked up the most mileage for Real Madrid: 11.05 km. Following behind the German midfielder were Carvajal (10.92) and Ramos (10.6).
Saturday wasn’t the first time Madrid have lagged behind their opponents on the distance stakes. In each of the team’s four La Liga defeats, their opponents kept the heat map busier. Barcelona, Sevilla and Villarreal outran them by seven, seven and five kilometres respectively. The same is also true looking at the team’s six draws this season (Sporting, Atlético, Valencia, Málaga - home and away - and Betis).