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It is an oft repeated cliche that great attacks win games but great defenses win titles, and while a lot of emphasis is always placed on the attack minded teams for all of the entertainment and thrills they provide, some attention should also be given to those who are able to shut out opposition attacks.
While a lot of people associate defending with negative football, it is not always so, as when done properly it could be considered as an art-form, as the attention to detail when making a last ditch tackle leaves little margin for error, while defending as a unit also requires some advanced training work.
The offside trap, zonal and man marking, these are just few of the terms associated with defending properly and even though defenders and goalkeepers are not as revered as their counterparts in attack, their work goes a long way in determining the fats of their various teams.
In this piece, we shall be taking a look at five teams who have mastered the art of defending, conceding the least goals in Europe's top five leagues.
Note - All stats correct as of 18 Feb, 2019
Also see : Copa America Schedule, Copa America Standings
#5 Inter Milan - 17 goals conceded (24 matches)
Inter Milan are currently embroiled in a tumultuous situation (as they always seem to be), this time involving captain and talisman Mauro Icardi who was recently stripped off his captaincy amidst wrangling between the club's board and his agent/wife Wanda Nara over contract disputes.
The Nerazzurri, however, seem to be getting the job done on the field of play, currently finding themselves in third spot, four points above city rivals Milan as they seek to consolidate their UCL qualification hopes.
Inter Milan have been one of the more efficient clubs in Europe this term, having scored just 34 goals from their 24 matches thus far. Their defense has proved to be strong, with their 17 goals conceded being the second lowest in the Serie A so far this season.
#4 Atletico Madrid - 17 goals conceded (24 matches)
Atletico have been one of the more dominant teams in Europe in recent years, having made it to two Champions League finals, in addition to winning a couple of other trophies including the LaLiga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Super Cup.
Diego Simeone chiefly deserves praise for this transformation, with Los Rojiblancos' incredible performance in winning the 2014 LaLiga title, in addition to going all the way to the UCL final despite operating on a budget much smaller than those of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Simeone's blueprint was founded upon building a watertight defense which was nearly impossible to penetrate, with Atletico generally gaining a reputation of being one of the most pragmatic teams in Europe.
So far this campaign, Atleti have conceded just 17 goals from 24 matches to keep them in second place and even though it is bound to fall short of the unbelievable 18 they conceded in 2016, it is still enough to keep their reputation as one of the best defenses in the world.
#3 Juventus - 15 goals conceded (24 matches)
Serial Serie A champions and European heavyweights Juventus need no introduction to football fans, as they have constantly proven themselves capable of rising to any occasion and are one of the most decorated sides in football history.
The Bianconerri are record Scudetto champions, having won Serie A a total of 34 times, while they are also on course to extend their record breaking consecutive Serie A wins to eight in a row, as they currently hold an almost unassailable 13 point lead on the Serie A table.
Juve still have two of the famed 'BBC' marshalling their backline, as Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini continue to make their backline a fortress, while Ronaldo continues to deliver the goods upfront.
So far, the Old Lady of Turin have conceded just 15 goals in 24 matches and even though their sight would be set on ending their long wait for a UCL crown, their defense continues to be as watertight as ever.
#2 Liverpool - 15 goals conceded (26 matches)
If anyone had told you a season ago that Liverpool would feature on a list of best defenses, you would probably have taken this suggestion with a pinch of salt (along with a bout of laughter).
Long vaunted for the exhilarating attack, Liverpool's feeble defense always proved to be their undoing, as for all of their brilliance upfront, they were always let down by moments of madness at the back, with defensive lapses and goalkeeping gaffes, which have cost them titles in the past, with the most high profile one being Karius' comical errors in the UCL final in 2018.
Jurgen Klopp realized that The Reds could never hope to achieve anything of note with such a shaky defense, and he sanctioned the world record purchases of both Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alison Becker from Southampton and AS Roma respectively.
The transformation has been remarkable, with Liverpool transformed from defensive shambles into one of the most stable backlines in all of Europe.
Earlier in the season, they went 10 games without conceding a goal at Anfield, and they have let in just 15 goals in 26 matches so far as they continue their quest for a first ever EPL title.
#1 PSG - 13 goals conceded (23 matches)
As a club which possesses the two most expensive players of all time, as well as some of the best forwards in the world, it goes without saying that PSG are expected to have no shortage of goals, with their 69 goals scored serving as proof of their devastating brilliance upfront.
However, it is not only Neymar, Mbappe and co who have been brilliant, as their defense have also proved themselves capable, having conceded just 13 goals from 23 matches at an astonishing ratio of just 0.56 goals / match.
With the Ligue 1 title all but won owing to their unsurprising 12 point lead over second placed Lyon (despite having two games in hand), PSG would turn their attention to continental glory where they also hold a 2-0 away first leg victory over Manchester United.
