Domestic leagues are beginning to enter the final few months of the season, and with that comes the true test of resilience for those battling it out at the summit. Preventing goals is just as important as scoring them, so we examine the best defences in Europe so far in 2023/24, and why their records could translate to silverware.
Best Defences in Europe 2023/24
Before diving into the what makes these iron-clad defences so hard to beat, it is worth noting that this list takes into account Europe’s top five leagues only.
It is also noteworthy to mention these leagues are at differing stages in terms of games played, so the following list primarily takes into account goals conceded.
Stats correct as of Tuesday 27th February
5. Stade Brest – 18 Goals Conceded
Since earning promotion back to the top-flight in 2019/20, Stade Brest have merely made up the numbers with four consecutive finishes in the bottom-half.
Catching PSG appears a nigh-impossible task at this moment in time with 11 points separating the two. It is testament to Brest’s success story, however, that Ligue 1 betting sites have them listed as third-favourites for the title.
Their miraculous journey from a 14th-placed finish last season to second at the time of writing has been actuated by an immaculate defensive record.
On only three occasions in Ligue 1 have they conceded more than once, with 21-year-old Dutch international keeper Marco Bizot holding a commendable 42.9% clean sheet rate. In total, Brest have kept 11 clean sheets in their 23 games so far.
With Ligue 1 being cut to 18 teams before this season, Brest looked to be among the likeliest for a return to Ligue 2.
Brest are up to second in 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝟏 after beating Marseille 🇫🇷
Eric Roy’s side have not lost in the league since November 💪 pic.twitter.com/wFGJDA9OFA
— LiveScore (@livescore) February 18, 2024
With limited resources, they are one of the defining success stories in France this year. Extending the loan of promising Reims left-back Bradley Locko has more than paid dividends, with the Frenchman a standout alongside his right-sided counterpart Kenny Lala.
Former Norwich and Nice midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou is the kind of level-headed presence that has helped to command the relative inexperience of the centre-back pairing directly behind him, comprised of Brendan Chardonne and Lilian Brassier.
- Clean Sheets – 11
- Expected Goals Against – 26.92 (4th least) & over-performance of 8.92
=3. Real Madrid – 16 Goals Conceded
Trailing Catalan minnows Girona for much of the season was certainly not in the script, but Real Madrid have finally clawed their way back to the summit to end every football hipster’s pipe dream.
They have done so in ruthless fashion since the turn of the year, scoring 14 goals and conceding just five in eight La Liga fixtures.
Los Blancos teams over the past decade or so have not been known for their defensive acumen; it was typically a case of outscoring the opponent, no matter how many times they found the net.
That is largely indicative of the flow of games in Spain. However, just like Barcelona’s title-winning campaign last season where they conceded just 20 goals in 38 games, there has been a noticeable shift.
Madrid are relying on a stout defence to snatch back the title.
With Eder Militao and David Alaba both suffering long-term ACL injuries, manager Carlo Ancelotti has been forced to mix and match his defensive options for most of the season. This constant chopping and changing even saw Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Carvajal line-up as centre-backs against title challengers Girona – a game they would end up winning 4-0.
Barcelona and Girona have scored more goals than Madrid, but Real have conceded just 16 goals in 26 games. That includes clean sheets in half of those fixtures, even without Militao, Alaba and first-choice keeper Thibaut Courtois, who is also ruled out with an ACL injury.
- Clean Sheets – 13
- Expected Goals Against – 27.55 (2nd least) & over-performance of 11.55
=3. Bayer Leverkusen – 16 Goals Conceded
The only unbeaten team left in Europe’s top five leagues are underpinned by a flawless system devised by the highly sought-after Xabi Alonso, who is favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp as the next Liverpool manager. The pragmatism of German principles combined with the Cruyffian philosophy of winning the ball back immediately has made Bayer Leverkusen simply unplayable at times.
Eight points clear of Bayern Munich means they are the firm favourites in the current Bundesliga betting markets. Whereas some of the teams on the list are prepared to sit further back and absorb pressure, Alonso’s Leverkusen prefer to defend from the front.
Grimaldo on the left flank has been a revelation going forward and in defence, and with his counterpart on the right – Jeremie Frimpong – they are integral off the ball. The 3-4-2-1 formation is inherently narrow, so the two wide players double up as wingers in the attack, and full-backs in defensive passages.
The central areas are packed with bodies. Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios are the chief ball-winners, while three centre-backs make it difficult for opposition teams to break the line of defence.
‘Possession is the best form of defence’ – a key Cruyffian law deployed by Pep Guardiola – is the key reason for Leverkusen’s dominance. An average of 57% across 23 games means they normally find themselves in total control.
This has seen them have to make the least tackles of any team in the Bundesliga by a margin of 31.
- Clean Sheets – 11
- Expected Goals Against – 22.26 (2nd least) & over-performance of 6.26
2. Nice – 15 Goals Conceded
Although they have fallen away slightly after a run of poor results in recent weeks, Nice were one of the early leaders in a topsy-turvy opening half of the season in France.
The sun-soaked surroundings of the French Riviera is the perfect juxtaposition to the gritty, no-nonsense football Nice have been underpinned by this term.
It has not been pretty at times, but little does it matter when you find yourself battling near the top of Ligue 1. For reference, they have scored the third-least goals in the French top-flight this season, despite sitting in the top four after 23 games.
Nevertheless, they have allowed just 15 goals which sees them rank as the second best defence in Europe at the time of writing.
40-year-old Dante, who you may remember from his stint at Bayern Munich, has reeled back the years to form an impregnable partnership with Jean-Clair Todibo, who is heavily linked with a move to some of Europe’s elite this summer.
In front of them sits another highly sought-after talent in Khephren Thuram, son of Lillian, who is the linchpin for which everything starts and ends. It is no wonder Liverpool have been so keen to bring him on board in the past two windows given he is averaging an 88% pass completion and over 1.5 tackles per-90 this term.
Manager Francesco Farioli arrived in the south of France with a reputation for progressive, attack-minded football. A disciple of Roberto De Zerbi at Benevento and Sassuolo, we are yet see him implement a more high-octane style.
For now, Nice are leaning into being one of the leading defences in Europe with a clean sheet rate of 61%.
- Clean Sheets – 14
- Expected Goals Against – 22.78 (Least in Ligue 1) & over-performance of 7.78
1. Inter Milan – 12 Goals Conceded
Can’t help but feel this Inter Milan team coast slightly under the radar outside of Italy.
Champions League finalists last season, and now flying towards the Scudetto this season. Manager Simone Inzaghi has made I Nerazzurri into a feared side across the continent.
Not only have Inter conceded the least goals across Europe’s top five leagues, but they have been scoring at a remarkable rate. In fact, they are level with Liverpool as the highest scorers having netted 63 goals, all the while doing it in one less game.
Back to their defensive record however. 12 goals in 25 games is testament to Inzaghi’s promise of making his side more defensively sound, having lost out to neighbours AC Milan in the title race last year. 16 clean sheets – a rate of 64% – has helped them cement a nine-point lead at the top.
Deploying the same 3-5-2 formation that proved mightily successful last term, Inter added the vastly experienced Benjamin Pavard and Monza loanee Carlos Augusto for added depth. The latter in particular has been proven to be a valuable asset despite the likes of last season’s fan favourites Matteo Darmian and Federico Darmian sitting out in recent weeks.
The defence suddenly has an abundance of depth – one of the deepest talent pools in Europe in fact. As is a common theme in the Inter midfield, they possess a potent blend of experience and youth. The old guard such as Francesco Acerbi compliment the likes of German talent Yann Aurel Bisseck and Alessandro Bastoni to great effect.
Add to that Dutch duo Stefan de Vrij and Denzel Dumfries, and you are left with an impressive list of defenders with double coverage in each position.
- Clean Sheets – 16
- Expected Goals Against – 20.67 (2nd least) & over-performance of 8.67
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