Real Madrid, Valencia, and Real Sociedad: Physical and Defensive Challenges in La Liga 2025/26

The 2025/26 La Liga season presents contrasting situations for its main protagonists. At the top, Real Madrid maintains its lead under Xabi Alonso, though data reveals they are the third team covering the least distance this campaign. Meanwhile, Valencia faces a tough end-of-year stretch with four demanding matches, where they must assess the work Carlos Corberán has done since his arrival. Finally, Real Sociedad confronts a worrying statistic: they are the team that has conceded the most goals from set pieces in the competition so far.

Real Madrid and Their Concerning Physical Data

Despite leading the table, Real Madrid’s physical statistics are far from flattering. According to Eduardo Inda on El Chiringuito de Jugones, the Merengues rank third in the least kilometers covered in La Liga, ahead of only Athletic Bilbao and Valencia. 'There’s another concerning issue for the club: the data. Some of it is devastating against Xabi Alonso. It comes from the platform used by La Liga. Real Madrid is the third team with the fewest kilometers run in the league.' The issue worsens in key matches, such as the derby against FC Barcelona, where, although Madrid reached their season-high of 117.6 kilometers, they were again outrun by Barça, who logged 119.5 kilometers.

In recent matches, Real Madrid has been physically outmatched by direct rivals. Against Elche and Rayo Vallecano, the Madrid side covered less distance than both opponents, and in the Champions League defeat to Liverpool, this physical deficit was also evident. The statistic highlights an uncomfortable truth for the reigning champions: no team has won the league in recent years without a standout physical performance.

Valencia CF: Corberán’s Consolidation and a Demanding Schedule

Valencia, managed by Carlos Corberán, faces a decisive period in his first full season in charge. Since his debut on January 3, the coach has overseen 34 league matches, maintaining an average of 1.38 points per game. The challenge for Los Che is to surpass 50 points—a threshold they haven’t reached since the 2019/20 season after Marcelino García Toral’s dismissal.

The year-end schedule features four matches that could define Valencia’s trajectory: away trips to Rayo Vallecano and Atlético Madrid, and home games against Sevilla and Mallorca at Mestalla. In recent home fixtures, the team has shown resilience, earning four out of six points with notable wins and comebacks, including the standout 1-2 victory at the Bernabéu, where Hugo Duro shone. However, away matches remain their Achilles’ heel, as they are the second-worst visiting team in the league with just two points from six games, plus an eight-match winless streak on the road.

Their home record also reflects strength at Mestalla, with seven wins, one draw, and three losses in 11 matches under Corberán. 'In the collective imagination of Valencia fans this year under Corberán, beyond the statement win in Madrid, are those home games where they clawed their way back from the depths of the standings,' notes the team’s coverage. The next four matches are thus crucial to solidify Valencia’s position in the upper-mid table and plan January reinforcements.

Real Sociedad and Their Set-Piece Vulnerability

Real Sociedad faces a notable defensive issue this season. After 13 matchdays, they have conceded the most goals from set pieces in La Liga—six in total. In a sport where set pieces are often decisive in tight matches, this weakness is a major concern for the San Sebastián club, which invested in a specialist in this area last summer.

Fran Martínez emphasizes that this problem isn’t just about individual talent but also collective organization and focus. A glaring example was Catena’s goal at El Sadar, where defender Caleta-Car, despite his height, lost his marker. The team typically employs a mixed defensive setup on set pieces, but opponents’ aerial effectiveness has exposed the need for improvement. Additionally, the departures of players like Le Normand, Aguerd, Merino, and Zubimendi have left a physical and height deficit that has yet to be fully addressed.

Conclusion

The 2025/26 La Liga season is filled with challenges and intriguing dynamics: Real Madrid leads despite relatively low physical exertion, Valencia seeks to consolidate its project under Corberán in a tough year-end stretch, and Real Sociedad works to shore up one of its biggest current weaknesses. Together, these scenarios paint a picture of a dynamic championship where physical endurance, tactical management, and defensive solidity remain essential pillars for success in Spanish football.