Jorge Valdano has sparked the soccer debate after analyzing the differences between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid this season. He did so on El Tercer Tiempo of Movistar +.
The former player, coach, and general manager of the white club pointed out that Barça has adapted better to the circumstances. Meanwhile, Madrid has shown ups and downs and a lack of cohesion.
"Madrid Thought They Were Going to Win Without Running"
Real Madrid, despite having a talented squad and the addition of Kylian Mbappé, lacks an effective playing style. Valdano criticized the team's attitude, suggesting they thought that with Mbappé's arrival, they would win effortlessly.
"Real Madrid came from winning the Champions League and LaLiga and signing Mbappé, which was a morale boost. The feeling is that Real Madrid thought that if they had won everything without Mbappé, with Mbappé they would win without running," Valdano commented.
In contrast, Valdano highlighted that Barcelona, under Hansi Flick's direction, has shown a winning mentality and a capacity for sacrifice in every match.
"Barcelona made the completely opposite reading. Either I wake up or I run or I sacrifice myself or I make a fool of myself.
The result we already saw: a team that pushes itself in every match, while Real Madrid has suffered many ups and downs. In April, they still haven't found the line-up or the functioning in the midfield," Valdano stated.
These statements come after Real Madrid's defeat in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. There, the culés won 3-2 in extra time. The 3-2 sealed the blaugrana victory and evidenced Barça's superiority in this season's Clásicos.
Flick's team has beaten Ancelotti's in the four matches they have played this season.
"Madrid Needs to Improve If They Want to Catch Up to Barça"
Valdano concluded that Real Madrid needs a deep reflection and strategic adjustments to regain their competitiveness. "Madrid needs to improve if they want to catch up to Barça," he stated.
The data support Jorge Valdano: Barça runs much more than Real Madrid. Ancelotti's team fell in the Champions League quarterfinals against Arsenal, covering 13 mi (21 kilometers) less than the English. 66.8 mi (107.5 km) in the first leg and 62.9 mi (101.2 km) in the second leg.
The blaugrana defeated Dortmund in Montjuïc with 78.6 mi (126.55 km) in their legs, compared to the 60.9 mi (98 km) they covered in the painful 2-8 thrashing against Flick's Bayern.
Barça ran 9 mi (14.5 km) more than Madrid in the Champions League. That's why they earned their place in the semifinals.
The Kilometers of the Champions League Quarterfinalists
Inter: 77.9 mi (125.3 km)
Bayern: 75.8 mi (122 km)
Barça: 71.9 mi (115.7 km).
Arsenal: 70.8 mi (113.9 km)
Dortmund: 69.5 mi (111.8 km)
Aston Villa: 67.4 mi (108.5 km)
PSG: 67.2 mi (108.2 km)
Real Madrid: 62.9 mi (101.2 km).