Real Madrid bottom La Liga running rankings as Jose Mourinho’s ‘run and fight’ message resurfaces

Real Madrid have covered less ground per match than any other La Liga side during the opening seven rounds of the season, according to statistical data highlighting a clear physical concern for the club.

Figures from SofaScore, reported by AS, show that Real Madrid’s players have averaged 96.5 kilometres per game the lowest total in the division. Barcelona, who lead the La Liga table, have recorded a significantly higher figure.

The statistics have renewed focus on comments attributed by AS to Jose Mourinho in a message to Florentino Perez when he took charge of Real Madrid. Mourinho outlined the mentality he wanted to establish at the club with the words: “Run and fight.”

Real Madrid’s current numbers, however, do not reflect the first part of that message. They sit at the foot of the La Liga distance rankings, with Alaves, Espanyol, Barcelona and Sevilla among the teams closest to them in the standings for distance covered.

Barcelona rank fifth among the division’s hardest-running sides, averaging about 104.6 kilometres per match. That puts them approximately 8.1 kilometres ahead of Real Madrid in every game.

The physical figures add another dimension to the questions surrounding Real Madrid’s difficult start. The club are six points behind league leaders Barcelona, while their position at the bottom of the distance table points to a further area of concern under Mourinho.