Best Defensive Records in Champions League: Balls Recovered, Tackles & Clearances Ranked

These figures show that football is not basketball and that a single superstar cannot win you a prestigious trophy, but rather that collective discipline, structure and the ability to respond under pressure. In this analysis, we rank the top six clubs from the 2025/26 campaign so far, using UEFA’s official defensive statistics. From rebounding efficiency to defensive contribution on the pitch, the focus is on highlighting the teams whose resilience has defined their Champions League run to this point.

SB Market Index: How We Evaluate Champions League Defending

This evaluation combines UEFA’s official defensive statistics—balls recovered, tackles won/lost, and clearances—with expert/media perception to provide a comprehensive ranking to create SB Market Index.

Union SG: Defensive Masters of the Opening Round

Union SG emerged as the most impressive defensive force in the Champions League in the first round, and the numbers back up their status. With 61 ball recoveries, the most of any team, and an exceptional 85.2% clearance success rate, the Belgian club stand out as the most effective defensive unit in Europe's elite competition so far.

What makes their performance remarkable is not just the volume of defensive actions, but also the efficiency with which they were executed. Rarely losing duels, Union SG demonstrated the ability to anticipate danger, intervene at the right moments and immediately turn the defense into control. Their 33 clearances show a willingness to do the basics under pressure, complementing structured pressing and collective resistance.

Pafos and Tottenham: Contrasting Strengths

Pafos and Tottenham have shown different defensive identities in their opening Champions League games. Against Olympiakos, in a difficult 0-0 draw, Pafos showed their resilience in the box, recording a record 59 clearances. On numerous occasions, they stepped in to clear the danger. However, their clearance figures paint a different picture: they have won just one of 14 duels, with a success rate of 7.1%. This imbalance suggests a team more adept at defending in the last minute than controlling the game.

Tottenham, meanwhile, showed a more complete defensive performance in their 1-0 win over Villarreal. With 48 ball recoveries and a solid 52% success rate from clearances, Spurs were at a high level in the centre. The 18 clearances contributed to a well-rounded performance, balancing proactive pressing with solid defensive coverage. While Pafos relied on volume, Tottenham thrived on efficiency.

Athletic Club and Leverkusen: Mid-Table Efficiency

Both Athletic Club and Bayer Leverkusen finished their opening Champions League matches with 49 clearances, but the way they defended revealed two very different approaches. Against Arsenal, who were beaten 0-2, Athletic relied heavily on their ability to disrupt play directly, winning 40% of their clearances. Their defenders were not shy about intervening in challenges, and they attempted to disrupt Arsenal's pace, even if it meant leaving space behind.

Leverkusen, on the other hand, demonstrated a more positional style in their 2-2 draw with Copenhagen. Although their clearance success rate was lower, at just 29.4%, they compensated with structured positioning and anticipation, repeatedly winning possession without relying on physical duels.

Sporting CP: Strong Recoveries but Limited Tackling Impact

Sporting CP's defensive profile in the first round, where they defeated Kazakh newcomers Kairat Almaty 4-1, paints a picture of a team built more on anticipation than physical duels. They recorded 50 ball recoveries, an impressive total that placed them among the most active teams defensively, but their tackle success rate of just 22.2% highlights a clear weakness in one-on-one confrontations. Rather than excelling in direct confrontations, Sporting relied heavily on interceptions, pressing and lane blocking to regain control.

This approach reflects a more open system, one in which defenders intervene to disrupt play before it develops, rather than waiting to engage the attackers directly. While effective in regaining possession, it runs the risk of being bypassed if the press is compromised. However, their numbers suggest a team dedicated to collective effort and quick turnovers, a strategy that can trouble opponents even if it doesn't always translate into dominant tackle statistics.