Real Madrid Bucks Trends in Expected Goals, Proving Efficiency Matters

Real Madrid is notably absent from the European top 15 clubs when it comes to expected goals (xG) this season. Barcelona currently leads the list, followed by Manchester City and Aston Villa in the top three.

This discrepancy has left some Barcelona fans puzzled, with sentiments reflecting a sense of disbelief that Real Madrid is thriving despite these statistics:

💭 Darduel (Reddit): “I swear, Madrid can’t keep getting away with this… last night, Real Sociedad played so well, but Madrid’s magic made them lose the game. It’s insane.”

💭 Rich_Firefighter_102 (Reddit): “I don’t think that’s a key for the future. Sooner rather than later, they will start dropping points like they did last year + this year they don’t have Benzema and Courtois.”

Real Madrid’s ability to generate fewer goalscoring chances compared to many other top clubs, while maintaining a high conversion rate, has been a defining characteristic of their season. Despite their relatively lower xG statistics, they have managed to win all their games.

This trend raises an interesting question: Can efficiency and a knack for capitalizing on opportunities trump the conventional metrics of xG? Real Madrid’s success in winning the 2021/22 Champions League, despite not leading in this statistical category, serves as a testament to the power of efficiency in football.