Real Madrid’s latest outing stood apart from the rest. The 2–1 defeat in the Madrid derby against Atletico produced 0.38 npxG, their lowest figure across these eight games.
In August and September, Real Madrid have taken six wins and two defeats from eight matches. They are generating 2.35 npxG per 90, compared with 1.60 last season. Shot volume has risen from 16.6 to 17.6 per 90. That improvement has come with less passing – open-play passes are down from 463 to 416 per 90, and final-third passes from 109
to 86. They are creating more without increasing their circulation of the ball.
The balance of their passing threat has shifted. The left of the final third led last season; central areas in the final third now provides the largest contribution. Passing xT from central areas in the final third has risen from 0.17 to 0.32 per match. Passing xT from the left of the final third has fallen from 0.33 to 0.22 per match.
Opponents are completing more passes between their defensive interventions in the PPDA zone. PPDA has risen from 11.4 to 14.1. Recorded second-ball wins have fallen from 3.9 to 2.6 per match. Opposition npxG remains close to last season’s level, at 1.09 per 90 against 1.13.
In league chance creation, 2025-26’s leading chance creator was Arda Güler with 70 chances created (3.06 per 90), 14 of them big, and 7.17 xA. He leads again in 2026-27, now on 28 chances (7.1 per 90) from 354 minutes. The 2026-27 most-used starters include seven of the 11 players in the 2025-26 selection. Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella and Trent Alexander-Arnold are now in that group.
Madrid lead the touch count in seven of 24 active zones, while opponents lead in seven. In the defensive third, three zones favour them and three favour their opponents. In the middle third, two zones favour them and one favour their opponents. In the final third, two zones favour them and three favour their opponents.
With the scores level, they have played 331 minutes and generated 2.35 npxG per 90 while allowing 0.67. The balance of chances is in their favour in this state. Their field tilt is 57%, giving them the larger share of completed final-third passes. Arda Güler has supplied the most passing threat during these minutes, contributing 1.01 xT.
When chasing the game, they have played 61 minutes and generated 0.35 npxG per 90 while allowing 1.88. The balance of chances is against them in this state. Their field tilt is 30%, leaving the opposition with the larger share of completed final-third passes. Dean Huijsen has supplied the most passing threat during these minutes, contributing 0.14 xT. Due to the limited time, the rates remain especially sensitive to individual chances.
While protecting a lead, they have played 364 minutes and generated 2.38 npxG per 90 while allowing 1.32. The balance of chances is in their favour in this state. Their field tilt is 40%, leaving the opposition with the larger share of completed final-third passes. Vinícius Júnior has supplied the most passing threat during these minutes, contributing 0.84 xT.
2025-26 includes 38 league matches and 14 European matches. 2026-27 includes seven league matches and one European match. The balance of competitions differs between seasons, so the combined comparison also reflects the opponents faced.
