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Sir Alex Ferguson once stated that a good attack can win you games, but a solid defence will win you titles. And that theory has been proven right this season with Liverpool's defensive solidity getting them over the line in most games this campaign. Other leagues too, have proven this theory to be right this season with Real Madrid, the team with the least amount of goals conceded in La Liga, sitting top of the table. But the real question is, who has the best defensive record out of Europe's top 5 leagues this season? Read on.
#5: Inter Milan | 22 goals conceded
Since the arrival of Antonio Conte, Inter Milan have looked like a team ready to win their first Serie A title since 2010 after finally finding the perfect balance between defence and attack. Inter have conceded the least amount of goals in the Serie A this season with 22 as well as scoring 49 goals, leaving them 8 points away from the top with two games in hand. Conte has found the perfect balance of experience in his back three which usually consists of Diego Godin, Stefan de Vrij and Milan Skriniar who have formed an almost impenetrable defence.
Conte as well as the players, deserve credit for how the team has performed this season. But it has to be said that without the tactical know-how of Antonio Conte and his set-up of 3-5-2, Inter wouldn't be the same, hard to beat side that he has built over the past year. The Italian manager will be hoping to be the man to end Inter's 10-year wait for a Serie A title and in doing so, cement his place in Inter folklore.
#Note: All statistics as of March 6, 2020
#4 Stade Reims | 21 goals conceded
When thinking about the best defensive records in Europe, Stade Reims do not come to mind. However, the Ligue 1 side's defence has been up there with the very best around Europe this season and better than the likes of PSG and Manchester City.
In fact, Reims have conceded just 21 goals so far in the current Ligue 1 season which is half of what they conceded last season with 11 games to go. Their solid defensive record has seen them rise up to 8th in the league table and above the likes of Nice and two points away from AS Monaco.
The Reims manager, David Guion, has relied upon the likes of Axel Disasi and Yunis Abdelhamid as well as the rest of the back four to carry a side that have the best defensive record in the league, but also the worst attacking record with just 25 goals scored so far this season.
#3 Liverpool | 20 goals conceded
Liverpool have previously been forced to rely upon their deadly attack to win games, but this season the defence has really stepped up and, at times, carried them towards success. The back four of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have formed a formidable partnership, conceding merely 20 goals so far this season.
And even when an injury occurs, players such as Joel Matip have stepped up and filled in without disrupting the balance of the team, a team that sits 22 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp's side have become the most efficient in the league and have picked up the ability to win ugly as well as in style. In fact, the Reds have won by the scoreline of 1-0 on 3 occasions in the Premier League this season and have scored 3 goals or more on just 8 occasions which highlights how often they have had to see a game out using their defensive awareness whilst sitting on a tight scoreline.
#2 Atlético Madrid | 19 goals conceded
Diego Simeone has alway prided himself on his team's defensive capabilities and this season has been no different with just 19 goals conceded. However, it hasn't been a season without its obstacles for Atlético Madrid who sit outside of the top four in La Liga in 5th with 11 draws to their name.
Simeone's side may be brilliant defensively, but going the other way, they have struggled. In fact, only Athletic Bilbao have scored fewer goals than them in the top 10 this season which will be a huge worry for Simeone, especially after spending big on attackers last summer.
Despite the recent misfortunes in La Liga, Atlético Madrid looked back to their best against Liverpool and after a first-leg victory, have every chance of knocking the Premier League leaders out of the competition who simply couldn't break the Madrid defence down.
This will be a positive for Simeone who is still yet to find the balance between defence and attack in a side that have fallen significantly over the past few seasons even though their defensive ability still remains intact.
#1 Real Madrid | 17 goals conceded
Real Madrid have been back to their best this season and after defeating Barcelona in the latest edition of El Clásico, they have retaken their throne at the top of La Liga. The credit has to go to the back four who have conceded the least amount of goals in Europe's top five leagues this season with just the 17 goals against them.
It has been a season that has seen Sergio Ramos return to his best alongside Raphael Varane to form the best centre-back partnership in Europe. This will please Zinedine Zidane who has often had to rely on his side's defensive performances to win games due to the struggling attack.
Zidane will be hoping to win Real Madrid's first La Liga title since 2017 and in doing so, help Real Madrid take back the crown in Spain. The Frenchman's young side have kept two clean sheets in two games against Barcelona this season which highlights just how impressive the back four has been for the former Champions League winners this season.
Also see | 5 stats that show how Real Madrid have improved this season
