Beyond Stats and Mediacoach unveil key ELCLÁSICO metrics

The clash will see new features such as the re-release of the aerial camera in the stadium for the first time since the construction work began and the use of a special limited edition PUMA ball for ELCLÁSICO. Additionally, the Beyond Stats portal launched its own ELCLÁSICO special and stressed that this match can cement Real Madrid's position atop the LALIGA table or increase the title-tension even more. The portal singles out FC Barcelona as the team making the most forward passes and the most carries into the box, while Real Madrid are the team with the highest figures for passes, passes in the final third and passing accuracy.  

The Beyond Stats portal is part of the joint LALIGA and Microsoft advanced statistics project. The metrics are obtained thanks to the Mediacoach platform, which is supported by machine learning and artificial intelligence technology from Microsoft Azure. More than 3.5 million pieces of data are collected per match thanks to the 16 optical tracking cameras and three tactical cameras in each LALIGA stadium.

What are the strengths of both teams? And who are their key players? The analysts from LALIGA's Mediacoach team uncover the fundamental characteristics for both sides in ELCLÁSICO at this stage of the season based on data from the advanced statistics project:

How are both teams doing?

Real Madrid have conceded 11 of their 20 (55%) goals in the first 30 minutes. The team has salvaged points from a total of 9 games where they were in a losing position and, together with Girona, have completed the most comebacks in the LALIGA (6), one of them against FC Barcelona in the first ELCLÁSICO of the season. FC Barcelona, on the other hand, have only lost one match against Real Madrid in the 21 games where they've scored first.

Unlike in previous campaigns, Real Madrid are conceding very few shots on goal this season: they have conceded the fewest shots in LALIGA. This may be due to their high percentage of recoveries in the opponent's half, which allows them to defend further away from goal more often, being the 4th best team in terms of average percentage of recoveries in the opponent's half. Last season they were ranked 9th in this metric but now recover the ball higher up the pitch than before.

They are also extremely solid in their own area, and are third in the championship when it comes to the highest percentage of blocked shots. Their goalkeepers have the highest save percentage in the competition and Los Blancos face the most shots before conceding a goal, with their opponents needing an average of 15 attempts before scoring. In fact, they’ve also allowed the fewest shots from inside the box.

Defence is probably the biggest difference between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The Blaugrana have conceded 14 more goals, as a result of a more vulnerable defensive line: they concede a goal for every 9.8 shots, and concede one more shot per game than Los Blancos in total.

Xavi's team stands out for their quick recovery of the ball, and have the highest recovery rate and the second highest number of quick recoveries. FC Barcelona are ranked 5th for pressure after losing the ball and 4th in terms of recoveries in an attacking situation.

Real Madrid are the team with the greatest ability to break down their opponents and to link up in the final third, and have the most passes and the most passes in the final third. They’re also a productive team, and are the most prolific finishers in the LALIGA. The big improvement on last season is in their goal scoring, as this season they are averaging the 4th best ratio of shots per goal scored: For every 7.5 shots they score a goal.

Offensively, FC Barcelona's record is very similar to that of Real Madrid, as they are second, just behind Los Blancos in LALIGA for passes, passes in the final third, and shots. Where things differ a little more is in success in the penalty area, where they are ranked 6th, and need 7.8 shots to score a goal.

Real Madrid have Vinicius, Rodrygo and Fede Valverde in the Top 2 when it comes to drives beyond the defensive line, high-impact drives and drives beyond the midfield line, respectively. This highlights the team's ability to switch things around and move quickly when they have space.

FC Barcelona, on the other hand, are more proactive at the start, and have 5 players in the Top 15 ranking for the most passes per game: De Jong (2nd), Kounde (6th), Christensen (9th), Gundogan (13th) and Araújo (15th) while Real Madrid only have two, Kroos (1st) and Modric (3rd).

 

 

Key Players

 

Lamine Yamal is ranked 7th with the most attempted dribbles (119). He's dribbled past his opponent 47 times (40%). “The player is full of pace, speed and the ability to break the lines. These are particularly important attributes for a team that continues to improve and hold on to second place. In addition to his dribbling stats, he’s one of the Top 5 players in the entire competition who play the most passes in the final third”.

Tchouaméni is another player highlighted this week. His defensive qualities are very impressive. He is one of the LALIGA players who win back the most balls and who press the most. He is also in the top five for successful carries. With this variety of stats, we can confirm that Tchouameni has a lot to offer both in the defensive and attacking transitions.

João Félix also stands out in this week's analysis for his spectacular bicycle kick. João is one of the Top 10 players in the whole competition in terms of finishing, a factor gives his team a real impetus when it comes to chance creation. He is also one of the eight players who beat opponents the most. He is without doubt a player who not only scores but also breaks the lines and creates danger for his team.  

Additionally, Mediacoach's analysts highlight the stats from:

Jude Bellingham has 16 goals and 3 assists, making him joint second top scorer in the competition with Budimir. Furthermore, the Englishman makes the Top 10 in both high-impact actions and shots on goal.

Vinicius Jr with 5 goals in his last 3 starts, is already Real Madrid's second top scorer in LALIGA with 12 goals and makes it into the LALIGA Top 10. Moreover, in terms of average goals per 94' he's in the LALIGA Top 4 due to the games he's missed. Furthermore, the Brazilian is Top 4 in LALIGA for completed dribbles, and due to the games he’s missed through injury he is Top 1 in LALIGA for completed dribbles per game. He's also very accurate in front of goal, as practically half of his shots are on target.

Rodrygo, who had scored just one goal in the last 12 LALIGA matches, bagged a brace against Athletic Club. He now has 10 goals and 4 assists, making him LALIGA's top finisher alongside Lewandowski and is Top 5 in completed dribbles.

Camavinga has the best recovery average in LALIGA and the 5th best in the opponent's half.

Kroos has the best average in passes completed per game. The German is in the LALIGA Top 5 for assists and Top 10 in high-impact actions. Fede Valverde rounds out the LALIGA Top 10 in assists, with hardly any coming from set-pieces, and his high level of involvement means he has just 11 assists less than Toni Kroos.

Ilkay Gundogan makes the league's Top 10 for turnovers in the opposition half with 50. 40% of the German's steals are closer to the opposition's goal than to his own. The German is the LALIGA EA Sports player who has created the most goalscoring chances, with a total of 80 passes that have led to shots. He has the third highest number of assists in the team with 5, behind Lewandowski and Raphinha, who have 7 assists each.

Koundé is the Azulgrana player who has recovered the most balls in LALIGA: 134. He also excels in his own area and has cleared the most balls (77) and blocked the most shots: 9, the same number as team-mate Ronald Araújo. The Blaugrana backline performs very well with aerial duels. Araújo stands out with a 70% success rate, Christensen with 69% and Koundé himself with 64%.

Pau Cubarsí has been instrumental in the team's last four victories, both in attack and defence. The Barcelona centre-back recovered the most balls in total (27) and in the opposition half (8). He also made the most clearances (25), blocked the most shots (6) and took part in the most aerial duels (14). Cubarsí is also ranked third in terms of passes made in the last four matchdays (330), with a success rate of 92.1%. Against Cádiz CF he picked up his first yellow card after 1,090 minutes of play.

Lewandowski is the team's top scorer with 13 goals. The Pole has been actively involved in 20 goals (13 goals and 7 assists). Lewandowski is, along with Rodrygo, the best finisher in LALIGA and Top 3 for shots on goal.

·        The following link provides analysis with a little more information on how both teams, and others, head into the upcoming matchday: Beyond Stats | LaLiga