Spanish football has undergone a transformation, and it’s time to acknowledge it. The game we see week in and week out has evolved from what it used to be. Regardless of our clubs’ triumphs or defeats in Europe, the comparison to previous seasons, or the disparity in transfer spending compared to other leagues, the reality is that the pure essence of football has changed. LaLiga clubs consistently exceed teams from other continents in terms of fouls committed per match, while our league’s players are often the primary targets of rough play.
This shift in Spanish football is evident in the statistics. According to the data provided by the WhoScored platform, LaLiga clubs commit an average of 13.2 fouls per game. In comparison, the French league records 12.55 fouls, Serie A in Italy tallies 12 fouls, the German Bundesliga logs 11.5 fouls, and the English Premier League registers 11.2 fouls. It seems that the Premier League, once believed to be the most intense and fast-paced championship, has lost its claim to that title.
“I attribute this to our style of play,” explains Óscar Díaz, an analyst for Rayo Vallecano, which is the third team in the league with the highest number of fouls committed (16.1) and endured (14.2) each weekend. “There are three key factors to consider. First, our pressing and vertical attacking style generates more duels on the pitch. More duels lead to more fouls. Second, the dimensions of our pitches, which are slightly smaller, also contribute to increased duels. Lastly, the profile of our players plays a role. Players like Isi and Trejo excel at holding the ball under intense pressure in challenging situations. Other teams may defend deeper and play at a slower pace. We don’t,” Diaz analyzes.
Whether it’s due to the style of play or other factors, Rayo Vallecano is one of the top five teams in Spain and Europe when it comes to committing fouls per game. In fact, the top five European clubs with the highest number of fouls are all Spanish: Getafe (16.8), Real Sociedad (16.5), Rayo Vallecano (16.1), Cádiz (16), and Mallorca (15.5). Following them are Toulouse, Monaco, and Mainz, before Osasuna (14) and Athletic Club (14). In total, seven out of the top ten teams are from LaLiga.
“The same applies to Real Sociedad,” Díaz summarizes. “They commit many fouls and make mistakes, but it’s because they actively seek duels and have players like Mikel Merino and Kubo who possess both skills and agility.”
The impact of fouls in the Spanish championship extends to the work of referees. Spanish referees lead Europe in terms of yellow card issuance, with 1,060 yellow cards given this season, as opposed to 960 in the Premier League, for instance. Getafe and Cádiz are the clubs with the most yellow cards in Europe, and Soto Grado holds the record with 82 yellow cards.
These statistics are not new, but the trend is clear. LaLiga is no longer the league that showcases the most goals; instead, it leads in fouls and cards. Six years ago, LaLiga was at the top in terms of goals scored (2.90 per game), but the Bundesliga now claims that position. “If these matches are a product of our league, it’s a shame,” Xavi Hernández lamented in the early months of the season. “People forget that repetition leads to cards,” Ancelotti stated at the time. Real Madrid commits the fewest fouls, followed by Atlético Madrid and Barcelona, which is to be expected given their high ball possession rates in Europe.