The Strongest Defences in Europe’s Top 5 leagues This Season

• Several teams in Europe’s top five leagues have been efficient in not conceding much this season
• Defensive solidity has been one of the vital successes of most of the clubs
• Sports Brief looks at the five teams that have conceded the fewest goals this season

Most of the players widely considered the best the game has ever seen are forwards.

Of course, they don't score in every game and the reason is simple, they come up against a defence that proves their match.

The ability to be efficient in not conceding and keeping consistent clean sheets is often the indicator of a triumphant team.

As rightly noted by legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, "attack wins you games, defence wins you titles."

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With this in mind, it's not far-fetched to assess the best defences among the top five leagues in Europe at the moment: the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1.

Sports Brief explores the most impressive teams in Europe that have kept their opponents at bay.

5. Lazio

Lazio have produced top goal scorers in recent years, with Ciro Immobile winning multiple top scorers' award.

The Biancocelesti are one of the teams that have provided maximum entertainment but surprisingly, they also have a mean defence.

Out of 23 Serie A outings this campaign, the Rome-based club have conceded just 19 goals, two less than league leaders, Napoli.

Mauricio Sarri's side even recorded a 1-0 triumph over Napoli on Friday.

4. Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti and his charges are the reigning La Liga and Champions League champions. Los Blancos have been one of the most consistent teams in Europe for the past decade, winning four Champions League titles.

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During these triumphant periods, the Madrid-based side boasted of impregnable defense and lethal attack.

Real Madrid are struggling in La Liga this season, mainly due to injuries and fitness issues with key defenders like David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Dani Carvajal.

It seems they will need a lump of fortune and enhance their playing style to retain the league title, but their backline does have Thibaut Courtois to thank for his saves.

Madrid have kept nine clean sheets and conceded just 18 goals in the Spanish top division.

3. Newcastle United

Surprisingly, the Magpies are third on the list. In one of the toughest leagues in the world, the Tyneside club have one of the best defences in Europe and England.

That defence, led by Sven Botman and Fabian Schar, has conceded just 17 goals and with goalkeeper Nick Pope amassing an impressive save percentage of 79.7%

Eddie Howe's side are clearly putting in a shift this season thus far and are defending like a world-class team.

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Although Newcastle lost the Carabao final to Manchester United, there is a sense of optimism that they will be a force to be reckoned with next season.

2. Napoli

There are no doubts about the star of the Napoli defence: South Korean centre-back Min-Jae Kim has been a real rock this season.

He has made an average of 1.6 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 3.9 clearances per game in helping Napoli keep nine clean sheets already this season.

Along with goalkeeper Alex Meret, Napoli have conceded just 16 goals this campaign and look likely to win the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years.

1. Barcelona

Currently, the best defence in Europe right now belongs to Barcelona.

After 24 matches in La Liga this season, the Catalan giants have conceded just 8 goals in one of the toughest leagues in Europe.

Strangely, they conceded three of the goals against their arch-nemesis Real Madrid in a 3-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu.

For Xavi Hernandez's side, it's much of a collective effort, with the likes of Ter Stegen, Ronaldo Araujo, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen and Alejandro Balde upping their ante this campaign.