Analysing Sergio Ramos' Early-Season Form for Real Madrid

Statistically, it's an imposing record: 12 games, eights wins, zero losses, 27 goals scored, only three conceded and top of the pile in both the league and Europe. Idyllic, yes?

Well, not quite. 

For Real Madrid, while the raw facts make for impressive reading at present, the early stages of Rafa Benitez's reign at the Bernabeu haven't been without complication. Most notably, an intense stylistic debate continues to rage in the Spanish capital, with Benitez and his team still under much scrutiny over a perceived defensive emphasis.

Also problematic has been a string of high-profile injuries, and captain Sergio Ramos is among those to have been sidelined. 

Indeed, it's been an interrupted start to the campaign for the Spaniard, who's carried a shoulder injury since mid-September after falling awkwardly against Shakhtar Donetsk. Consequently, Ramos has played only seven of his club's 12 matches this season, three of which—against Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Celta Vigo— he was only be able to complete thanks to pain-killing injections, risking further damage by playing ahead of schedule because of the squad's injury crisis.

As such, it hasn't been a perfect opening to the season for Ramos. Lacking continuity and full fitness, the Spaniard is yet to hit peak form in 2015-16, and below, we examine his start this term and look at what's ahead. 

Form

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Prior to sustaining his shoulder injury against Shakhtar, Ramos' form had been strong in defence.

Against Sporting Gijon, Real Betis, Espanyol and the Ukrainian outfit, the centre-back was part of a back four that keep four consecutive clean sheets, with the captain's only notable error in that stretch coming at El Molinon when he was caught stationary and flat-footed as Antonio Sanabria cut in front of him and smashed a header into the bar.  

Since, however, the 29-year-old's form has wavered a touch, which can be expected after a spell on the sidelines. 

Against PSG at Parc des Princes, Ramos was excellent alongside Raphael Varane in shutting down Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani, but against Atletico and Celta, the Real Madrid captain endured some tougher outings. 

At the Vicente Calderon, Ramos' poor pass on the halfway line gifted possession to Atleti, and in the resulting fast-break, he brought down Tiago inside the box to give away a penalty. 

Then most recently at Balaidos, the Spaniard operated without his typical physicality, appearing to play more passively, perhaps in an attempt to protect his shoulder.

When Nolito skipped past Danilo and into the Real Madrid box in the first half, Ramos oddly retreated toward the goal line, separating himself from Varane and leaving space around the penalty spot for Iago Aspas to shoot. Later in the second half, Nolito went past him inside the box rather easily, with the resulting shot forcing Marcelo to make a goal-line clearance. 

Statistics Point to Altered Role

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His defensive work aside, one of Ramos' great strengths has always been his distribution from the back. 

Possessing a passing range that many midfielders would be happy with, Ramos has often played as the more aggressively positioned centre-back in a pairing, operating just behind the halfway line and switching play from side to side with long diagonal balls. 

But in 2015-16, the statistics (see table below, courtesy of WhoScored.com) indicate that other players are doing the distribution work.

So far this season, Ramos' passing and long-ball numbers have dipped, the latter falling to below half of the career-high he recorded in 2013-14. Concurrently, the passing figures of full-backs Marcelo and Daniel Carvajal, and midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, have all risen, suggesting Ramos' role has been slightly altered in a new-look Madrid under Benitez. 

	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16
Tackles	2.3	1.7	1.8
Interceptions	2.3	2.4	4.6
Clearances	4.4	3.9	5.8
Blocks	0.5	0.8	1.2
Fouls	1.7	1.6	1.0
Passes	61.7	60.2	56.8
Accurate Long Balls	8.3	5.6	4.0

Sitting deeper than he previously has in a defensive line (and overall system) that's playing with a little more conservatism, the club captain is spending less time on the ball, the team's distribution from the back instead being completed by those who flank him and those who sit in front of him. 

That deeper positioning might also explain the increases seen in his defensive stats. This season Real Madrid have been prepared to absorb pressure more than they have in previous seasons, clearly attempting to address their vulnerability to counter-attacks. 

Consequently, Los Blancos have at times ceded possession dominance (see PSG game) and opted to repel an opponent that's in front of them rather than chase one who gets in behind them. 

Full Fitness Still to Come

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One suspects that Ramos could be rested for this weekend's clash with Las Palmas at the Bernabeu, in an effort to protect his lingering shoulder injury from further damage. And given the run of fixtures that follows, it's imperative that Ramos regains full fitness. 

Following Las Palmas' visit of the capital, Real Madrid face PSG at home, Sevilla away, Barcelona at home and Shakhtar away in the space of 22 days either side of the international break. 

While a more gentle stretch follows that gauntlet, Real Madrid will need their captain at his best to emerge from that quartet of challenges unscathed.