Minutes and goals by 3/4 of season

Hi fellow madridistas!

We have played 29 Liga, 2 Supercopa, 2 Copa and 8 Champions League matches. 41 games in total, 3750 minutes (41×90’+60’).

We’ll play between 11 and 14 more games (min 990', max 1320'), so we can say we have already completed around 75% of the season. Since we are in the middle of another fucking useless international break, I think it’s a perfect moment to check minutes and scoring numbers once more.

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Forwards:

Vini:

28 games, 2295 minutes (61,2%)

66 shots, 18 goals: nets 27,3% of this shots, 1 goal per 128’ (+6 assists)

Despite of some stupid criticizing around his game, he has stepped up (as some people already pointed out 9 months ago). His already decent numbers by January are even better now (1g/172'–>1g/128'). He deserves every bit of our support.

Rodrygo:

41 games, 2933 minutes (78,2%)

86 shots, 13 goals: 15,1%, 1g/226’ (+8 assists)

Disappointing season in terms of scoring, especially because we have seen how he can finish his chances when in form. Call it luck, confidence, shape or whatever, we need a better Rodrygo in April-May, converting 20-25% of his shots should be his objective. His numbers have regressed since mid season point (1g/174'–>1g/226')

Brahim:

33 games, 1528 minutes (40,7%)

29 shots, 9 goals: 31%, 1g/170’ (+4 assists)

Back in summer or early season, almost nobody count on him: “madridista” Spanish journalists tried to sell a story about Carletto not liking him back in September; sadly many people actually bought it. Well, time has done its job: it’s mid-late March and he’s the best “Spanish” attacking player. Punch intended to the corrupted RFEF, who lost him because they decided that fucking Bryan Zaragoza and a few others deserved to play before him in the past 3 years; just imagine what the "madridista" Spanish media would have said about him if he had scored that "golazo" against Leipzig wearing a "blaugrana" or "rojiblanca" shirt. He probably deserves a starting spot over Rodrygo (Rodrygo participates in a goal every 140’, while Brahim needs 118’). His maintaining mid season numbers (1g/158'–>1g/170')

Joselu:

38 games, 1601 minutes (42,7%)

68 shots, 14 goals: 20,6%, 1g/114’ (+3 assists)

It happens that the board which didn’t sign a 9 probably knew better than virtual sporting directors. Some of us also had plenty confidence in him since he signed, and he has delivered it with pretty decent numbers that would look even better if he hadn’t miserably failed two penalties. A pure madridista who is the perfect example of how important is to feel the badge. He’s been consistent the whole season (1g/134'–>1g/114')

Bellingham:

31 games, 2735 minutes (72,9%)

60 shots, 20 goals: 33,3%, 1g/137’ (+9 assists)

I don’t care if he’s a midfielder or a forward, I’m including him because of his contribution. In Spain, the “10” is called “mediapunta”, which perfectly defines his role this season (“medio”=mid, “punta”=forward). Honestly, I expected his numbers to be like Rodrygo’s current numbers (and Rodrygo on Bellingham’s, but as long as we keep winning, who cares?). He has slowed down in scoring (1g/112'–>1g/137'), sure, but he’s now showing whenever he has the ball why he’s wearing a certain number. Pure class.

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Midfield:

Kroos:

38 matches, 2469 minutes (65,8%)

1 goal (25 shots) and 7 assists; 1g+a/274’

He should have scored more goals.

Modric:

33 matches, 1613 minutes (43%)

2 goals (18 shots) and 5 assists; 1g+a/230’

Appreciate every single minute of him.

Camavinga:

32 matches, 2024 minutes (54%)

0 goals (15 shots) and 2 assists;

He knows it. But I don’t think he has to care about it. It's more important for his game to fix his decision making/slips under high pressure… learn when he has to play a bit more calm/safe.

Valverde:

41 games, 3283 minutes (87,5%)

2 goals, I count Napoli one, (45 shots), and 7 assists;

He’s playing more defensively than last year, yes, but 45 shots for 1 goal or 2 goals is poor. I know many of them are from long distance, like those of Kroos, but… Let’s hope they are saving their goals for Champions League knockouts.

Tchouaméni:

31 games, 2201 minutes (58,7%)

2 goals (15 shots) and 1 assist;

If he wants to play as midfielder, he needs to contribute more on attack. He’s safe passes are pretty necessary in big nights, but against La Liga low blocks (which are the most) we would need a bit more. It's kind of the opposite of Camavinga, he needs to take more risks in certain situations. Be more Tchouaméninga

Ceballos:

21 games, 503 minutes (13,4%)

1 goal (4 shots) and 1 assist;

As long as Kroos and Modric are on the team, his role will be (very) limited. He would be playing a 3000’ season in any other La Liga team but here. I hope he doesn't rot without minutes (like Mariano or Isco) and accepts his role (like Nacho or LV did).

Güler:

7 games, 98 minutes (2,6%)

1 goal (4 shots) and no assists;

Patience. Unlike others, we don’t have to rush our young players. Even if they hit the wood twice, gained a penalty and scored a goal in less than 100'.

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Defense:

Carvajal:

31 games, 2532 minutes (67,5%)

5 goals (16 shots) and 5 assists; 1g+a/253’

Fabulous season, although he’s been error prone lately (cost us goals against Osasuna and Valencia, luckily Leipzig couldn’t capitalize it)

Militao:

He had 2 shots in 50 minutes.

We miss his aerial presence; despite his absence we are having a great season in that regard both in attack and defense.

Alaba:

17 games, 1407 minutes (37,5%)

0 goals (14 shots), 2 assists;

I miss his sweet left foot.

Nacho:

33 games, 2197 minutes (58,6%)

No goals (6 shots), no assists;

People likes to just remember his mistakes this season. Well, we are still having one of our best defensive seasons ever. Haters can go where they are made when he lifts our next trophy.

Lucas Vázquez:

28 games, 1284 minutes (34,2%)

1 goal (10 shots) and 4 assists; 1g+a/256’

Oh, how many times I had to argue against the “we can’t have a makeshift RB” and “we need to sign a RB” dumb advocates? They are silent now, but I guess they’ll be back once the Lord is renewed. Last month, he’s been better than Carvajal, imo.

Fran García:

26 games, 1324 minutes (35,3%)

0 goals (6 shots) and 5 assists; 1g+a/265’

I thought he would play more, mainly because of how injure prone Mendy looked.

Rüdiger:

35 games, 3044 minutes (81,2%)

3 goals (I’m counting the goal against Celta, despite stupid refs wrote it down as an own goal in their recap) and 1 assist;

Our madman has finally found some goals with 3 great headers since January. He hadn’t scored since his “bloody” goal against Shakhtar in October 2022.

Mendy:

28 games, 1994 minutes (53,2%)

1 goal (2 shots), 0 assists;

What a goal he scored, but, in general, his output in attack is non-existent. However, he brings a much needed defensive balance and somehow he hasn’t fucked up in build-ups as much as you would expect from his weird dribbles in defense.

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Conclusion:

Back in summer, the dramas about our squad were permanent. No scoring, no depth. Some of us futilely fought that idea, with 19% upvote rate posts. Fortunately, virtual managers have been proved wrong once more and we are heading into April ready to battle City in Champions League Ro8 and close out our 36th Liga. All our players have played at least 1284' by now bar Courtois, Militao, Ceballos and Güler. 17 players (plus Lunin and Kepa) have enjoyed of a decent role in our season. It looks like only Valverde and Rüdiger will end the season with more than 4000' played (maybe Rodrygo).

So far, we have scored 96 goals (64 in Liga, 9 in Supercopa, 5 in Copa and 18 in Champions League), 2,34 goals per game. Not bad for a team without 9.

Time to revenge last season Champions League knockout and win some titles.

Hala Madrid!