Ibrahima Konaté has become one of the main reasons behind Real Madrid's excellent form under José Mourinho. The former Liverpool defender has established himself as an almost impossible obstacle for opposing attackers to beat. His performances over the last 13 matches have put to rest any doubts surrounding his move from the Premier League.
Real Madrid heads into the international break in the best possible spirits. The team's eight consecutive victories have delivered everything the squad had been missing over the previous few seasons. When it comes to defensive performances, it is impossible not to highlight Ibrahima Konaté's outstanding contribution. After some initial doubts surrounding his signing, the former Liverpool player is now justifying the investment made in him.
The statistics speak for themselves. Konaté has not been dribbled in 11 of his last 13 appearances in a Real Madrid shirt. These are the numbers of an elite center back, achieved during a run of matches in which Los Blancos have gradually developed the defensive solidity that had been missing over the previous two seasons. Opponents of all kinds have come up against the defensive wall that is Ibrahima Konaté.
The French centre-back was not dribbled past against teams such as Valencia, Racing de Santander, Barcelona, Roma, Villarreal, Atlético Madrid, Rayo Vallecano, Inter Milan, Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Espanyol.
In the only two matches during this run in which an opponent managed to beat him with a dribble, no player managed to do so more than once. For Mourinho, Konaté has become a vital component of his team's defensive balance, while also helping relieve some of the defensive responsibilities placed on other center backs who had not been enjoying their best form in the last season.
Ibrahima Konaté's overall level has helped Real Madrid keep more clean sheets. It has also improved the performances of his teammates in the same area of the pitch. It is no coincidence that players such as Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger have been recording some of their best numbers in months. With the Frenchman occupying the right side of the defense, Los Blancos have gained greater solidity and, above all, the ability to press opponents more effectively when they attempt to play out from the back.
There were plenty of doubts surrounding his move from Liverpool. Ibrahima Konaté's final season in the Premier League was nowhere near as impressive statistically. Leaving English football has so far proved extremely beneficial for one of Real Madrid's summer signings. Mourinho has found himself a new defensive leader, and it is none other than a wall who has not been in 11 of the last 13 matches played by the Spanish capital's side.