After reading the huge changes in Real Madrid s goal time, I realized how successful Alonso s transformation of the team was.

Xavi Alonso is changing Real Madrid in the most intuitive way. This team, which was used to being accustomed to "not being able to provoke" in the second half last season, has now become a kingly army that can "solve the battle" in the first half.

This change is completely reflected in the distribution of goal time. Last season, Real Madrid scored 58% of their goals in the second half; and so far this season, this data has been completely subverted, with 57% of their goals in the first half.

Compared with the data before the derby in the same period last year, this contrast is even more amazing. At this time last year, Real Madrid only scored 3 first half goals, but scored 18 goals in the second half; this year, they have scored 9 goals in the first half. As Alonso himself said: "We hope to maintain this sense of control for more time in the game."

Now, they not only control the game, but also the score.

The new Real Madrid area

What's more interesting is that this new Real Madrid seems to have found a brand new "prime time period for goals".

According to Opta data, Real Madrid scored 5 goals in this season's game, which was scored in the 30th to 45th minutes of the first half. This data is the best in La Liga. No team can be as efficient as Real Madrid in any 15-minute period.

From Mbappe, Guillail to Mastantono, many of the team's attackers have scored goals in this new "Real Madrid area". This proves that the team's tactics to continue to put pressure on the end of the first half until it destroys the opponent's defense line are already very mature.

The previous slow fever

Looking back a year ago, the Real Madrid under Ancelotti was completely different. They are used to exerting their strength in the second half and even resolving the battle at the last moment of the game. In the same period last year, they scored 12 goals, which were scored 60 minutes later. Although this style is full of drama, it also reflects the team's slow entry into the state and lack of control over the game. Alonso's arrival completely changed this. Today, Real Madrid is a team that has a leading edge and enters the locker room.

The beginning of the derby, however, the opponent of this derby Atletico Madrid is also a team that "gets up very early". Simeone's team has scored 4 goals this season, scoring within 15 minutes of the game.

This undoubtedly adds great highlights to the start of this derby. On one hand, Atletico Madrid, who likes to "blitz" after the opening, and on the other hand, Real Madrid, who is used to "striking the attack" at the end of the first half. This tactical game about the "start" is likely to directly determine the final direction of the game.