Real Madrid’s David Alaba ‘in the worst form’ for SEVEN years say stats in Spain

David Alaba of Real Madrid is statistically on his worst run in seven years, according to data reported in Spain.

Reigning European champions Real are three points behind Barcelona at the top of LaLiga and have kept just three clean sheets all season, despite a strong start to the campaign.

They have faced defensive problems with Thibaut Courtois missing playing time through injury, while the arrival of Antonio Rudiger in the summer has seen four less established defenders than last season.

David Alaba is performing well below his performances last season according to new data

Alaba formed an imperious partnership with Eder Militao at the heart of Real’s defense last season, but despite Carlo Ancelotti being eager to continue the pairing, the Austrian has suffered a major dip in form.

AS Diary has released Olocip data showing the 30-year-old is putting in his worst performance in seven years.

The stats reveal that Alaba is adding a defensive value of 0.100, meaning his actions contribute to preventing a goal every 10 games, which is considerably down from last season’s 0.275, and also a far cry from his previous low of 0.270 in the same period.

The Austrian has been part of a defense that has only kept three clean sheets this season

The numbers don’t read much better when the defender has the ball, either. In terms of game construction, Alaba’s 00.6 figure is down dramatically from last season’s 00.12.

Ancelotti’s side suffered a 2-1 loss to Villarreal last weekend, with his defensive performance criticized by the Spanish press, while Alaba’s problems continued as it was his handball that led to Genaro’s penalty Moreno who decided the game.

However, the Austrian is now set for a sideline period after Real Madrid confirmed that Alaba had suffered a calf injury.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men are three points behind leaders Barcelona at the top of the LaLiga table

In a statement, the Spanish giants said: ‘Following tests carried out today on our player David Alaba by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a right soleus injury. Evolution pending.’

There has been no indication how long Alaba is expected to be out, but reports suggest in Spain that he could be away for up to three weeks.

It will mean Rudiger could move to a more natural place at the center of Real’s defense for Real Madrid’s upcoming matches against Valencia in the Spanish Supa Cup semi-final and another encounter with Villarreal in the Copa del Rey.