Marc Cucurella Rejects Claims Real Madrid Are Not Running Enough
Marc Cucurella has rejected suggestions that Real Madrid’s problems at the start of the Liga season stem from a lack of running, after figures placed the team at the bottom of the division for distance covered.
Results have intensified the debate
The defender believes the focus on Madrid’s physical output has grown largely because of recent setbacks, most notably defeats to Atletico Madrid in the derby and Betis. He argued that the same numbers would have been interpreted differently had the team maintained a winning record.
- Madrid are reported to have covered the fewest kilometres in the Spanish top flight.
- Defeats against Atletico and Betis have increased scrutiny of the side’s performances.
- Cucurella said the squad’s effort should not be questioned on the basis of the running data alone.
- He maintained that winning matches would have shifted the conversation towards efficiency rather than a supposed shortage of work rate.
Cucurella admitted that the statistic surprised him, particularly because he feels the players put significant physical effort into matches. He said a low possession figure might have prompted a different reaction, but he does not accept that Madrid are failing to run enough.
Data can still help Madrid improve
While defending his team-mates, Cucurella did not dismiss the value of performance analysis. He accepted that the figures provide useful evidence for the squad and coaching staff as they seek to correct the issues behind their difficult run.
The Spain international said the data should be used to identify areas requiring more work, whether that means raising the level of effort in certain phases or improving aspects of Madrid’s overall game.
Madrid will return to domestic action under pressure to collect three points and restore momentum in a demanding upcoming schedule. Before then, Cucurella is due to join Spain for international fixtures against England, Croatia and the Czech Republic.
