Zidane reinvents Real Madrid Real Madrid Best defence across five major leagues

Cristiano Ronaldo hadn't yet left Real Madrid when Zinedine Zidane resigned back in 2018, but upon the Frenchman's return he found a team that was struggling to score.

Real Madrid averaged 2.5 goals per game in Zidane's first three seasons at the club, yet after his return they have registered a mere 1.7 goals per match.

Karim Benzema has been the only player who has attempted to step into Cristiano's boots, with Gareth Bale unable to assume the responsibility of being Los Merengues' superstar.

Thus, Zidane decided to turn his focus towards building a defensive wall, one which has conceded just 0.81 goals per game.

Last season, Real Madrid allowed 1.3 goals per match, while they averaged a similar figure (1.2) back in 2016/17, although they used to score 2.88 goals per game.

In the 2019/20 campaign Los Blancos have been scoring 2.11 goals per game, far better than their 1.45 goals per match last season.

Best defence across Europe's five major leagues

No team has conceded fewer goals than Real Madrid so far this season across the five major European leagues.

Los Blancos have allowed just 12 goals and, along with Atletico Madrid, they have the best defence this season.

Liverpool have let their rivals score 14 times, while Borussia Monchengladbach have the best defence in the Bundesliga with 18 goals conceded.

Inter have allowed in fewer than any other team in Serie A with 16, while Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain have conceded 13 times.

To find a better defensive record that of Real Madrid, we have to take a look at less competitive leagues.

In Portugal, Benfica and Porto have conceded six and nine goals respectively, while AZ Alkmaar have collected the ball from the back of their net 11 times this season.