Barcelona's trademark under Pep Guardiola was to have possession of the ball and nowReal Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui is hoping to have plenty of success using the same formula, if his approach in the first few games of the season is anything to go by.
There were many at the Bernabeu who criticised the passing game simply because it came from Barcelona and by the same measure, the more different was Real's approach the better. Mourinho was seen as the antethesis to Guardiola and Real had 27,366 fewer passes than Barcelona overall while the Portuguese was in charge.
However, times change and now there is a change of approach under Lopetegui, with Real having 1,505 passes so far compared to 1,470 by Barcelona with a 90.76% success rate, to the Catalan side's 87.89%.
The key player in this new approach is Toni Kroos and he has made 220 successful passes from a total of 226, the best rating from any player in the league who has made over 15 passes.
Against Getafe and Girona, Real pressed high up the pitch and showed plenty of movement in attack. This year it is the aim of the club to once again be the top side in Spain and so far they are on track.
L10NELMESSI
68
Madrid is playing more possession football now under the new coach lopegetui that's a good sign 1st match 78% possession 791 passes 2nd match 67% possession 714 passes About 90% Accuracy
majestical
51
How do you think Ronaldo is gonna feel at juventus last night after Madrid tumbling Girona yesterday?
Muscab_Abdukadir
46
Every madridista fan has a good day🔥
Tanmaypethkar
36
yes it is positive sign for madrid..........they are good playing even without ronaldo.........that's my team.......hala madrid