Stats: The centre-back combination that has worked best for Real Madrid this season | OneFootball

Real Madrid have endured a season full of defensive setbacks, with multiple first-team defenders facing injuries of varying severity.

These challenges have forced manager Carlo Ancelotti to explore different centre-back pairings, constantly adjusting his defensive structure to maintain stability.

With numerous combinations tested, statistical data highlights the most successful duo in the heart of Madrid’s defence this season.

The most effective pair

Among all the defensive pairings used by Ancelotti, the combination of Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni has emerged as the most effective.

While Tchouameni is naturally a midfielder, his transition to central defence has been remarkable, forming a formidable partnership with Rudiger.

Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni has been the most effective pair for Real Madrid this season. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images )

The duo has played together 13 times across all competitions, registering 10 victories, one draw, and just two losses.

This translates to an impressive 77% win rate, the highest among all centre-back pairings used by Real Madrid this season.

When comparing other defensive combinations, none have achieved the same level of success. The second-most used pairing, featuring Rudiger alongside Raul Asencio, has played 10 matches together, securing seven wins and suffering three defeats.

This equates to a 70% success rate, which, while strong, still falls short of the figures recorded with Tchouameni in central defence.

Another commonly used partnership involved Eder Militao and Rudiger, but their record was less convincing.

Before Militao suffered another serious injury, the duo played 14 matches together, achieving eight wins, three draws, and three losses.

Their win percentage stands at just 57%, significantly lower than the Rudiger-Tchouameni combination.

Ancelotti has experimented with multiple other centre-back pairings throughout the season, but most of them have only played a handful of games together.

Consequently, they lack the consistency required for meaningful comparison with the primary defensive partnerships.

Tchouameni’s impact as a makeshift centre-back

Aurelien Tchouameni’s numbers are so good. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Tchouameni has faced scrutiny for his performances as a central defender, with many questioning whether playing out of position affects his effectiveness.

However, the statistics provide a clear answer—his adaptation has been successful, and his contribution to Real Madrid’s defensive stability cannot be overlooked.

Despite being a natural midfielder, he has played 27 matches as a centre-back this season, accumulating 19 wins, six draws, and only two losses. This impressive record underlines his reliability, even in an unfamiliar role.

Beyond his overall match record, Tchouameni has also played a key role in maintaining clean sheets. In 11 of the 27 matches he has featured in as a defender, Real Madrid have prevented their opponents from scoring.

This further reinforces the argument that his presence in the backline has not weakened the team’s defensive structure. Instead, his versatility and adaptability have provided Ancelotti with an effective solution amid the club’s injury crisis.

Ancelotti trusts Tchouameni

Carlo Ancelotti has complete faith in Tchouameni. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Ancelotti’s faith in Tchouameni’s ability to perform as a centre-back has remained unwavering. The manager has repeatedly praised his dedication and willingness to play out of position for the benefit of the team.

With Real Madrid still competing on multiple fronts, the Frenchman’s presence in the defensive setup continues to be a crucial factor in maintaining their competitiveness.

Ultimately, while Real Madrid’s defensive problems persist due to injuries, the partnership of Rudiger and Tchouameni has provided a much-needed sense of stability.

Their impressive performances together have ensured that the team remains strong at the back, even in the face of adversity.