The 10 teams with the most clean sheets in a single season in Europe s top leagues

At the beginning of the 2025/26 season, Arsenal has gained a reputation as one of the strongest defensive systems in Europe's top leagues. In only 17 games in all competitions, the Gunners have completed 13 clean sheets and conceded only 5 goals during this period.

They are currently trying to break Chelsea's record for the fewest goals conceded in a single Premier League season (15 goals), but this will not be easy. Arsenal have shown amazing consistency in keeping consecutive clean sheets, but they still have a long way to go before breaking the existing single-season clean sheet record in Europe's top leagues.

For decades, many European giants have achieved astonishing clean sheets in a single season, demonstrating their defensive resilience. This is inseparable from a world-class goalkeeper in good condition and an iron-clad defensive system that leaves most opponents helpless. Next, let us take stock of the 10 teams with the most clean sheets in a single season among the five major European leagues.

10. Juventus - 22 clean sheets

Between 2011 and 2020, Juventus’ dominance in Serie A may not be matched by anyone for a long time! The Bianconeri won 9 league championship trophies during this period, including the unbeaten championship in the 2013/14 season! In the 2013/14 Serie A season, they scored over 100 points and completed 22 clean sheets, tying the Serie A record! However, Juventus' most impressive clean sheet performance came in the 2015/16 season, when they also achieved 22 clean sheets in 38 league games.

Among them, Buffon contributed 21 clean sheets, and Neto also recorded 1 clean sheet. In the 2015/16 Serie A season, Juventus only conceded 20 goals in 38 games, which made their clean sheet record even more valuable. During the incredible league winning streak from 2011 to 2020, the Bianconeri achieved 22 clean sheets in a single season three times.

9. Bayern Munich - 22 clean sheets

In Guardiola's second season coaching Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga giants played extremely dominant football and stunned their opponents. In the 2014/15 Bundesliga season, the Bavarian giants showed an amazing offensive and defensive balance, able to score a large number of goals while maintaining a solid defensive system. At the end of the season, Bayern conceded only 18 goals in 34 games, 20 fewer than second-placed Wolfsburg (Wolfsburg conceded 38 goals).

Not only that, Guardiola's team also set a new Bundesliga record for clean sheets in a single season - 22 clean sheets in 34 league games. Among them, Neuer unstoppably contributed 20 clean sheets. That period can be called the peak of his career. Although Bayern only won the Bundesliga title that season, their excellent defensive performance made them stand out among many teams.

8. AC Milan - 22 clean sheets

The 1993/94 season was of great significance to AC Milan. Under the coaching of Capello, they played some of their most convincing games. That season, they perfectly proved that "defense is the best offense" - at least when the defensive system is implemented in place, this is true. Milan's playing style was slightly "boring" that season, scoring only 36 goals in 34 Serie A games. But the key to helping them win the Serie A championship was their extremely good defensive organization.

That season, AC Milan only conceded 15 goals in 34 Serie A games and had 22 clean sheets. Among them, goalkeeper Rossi completed 21 clean sheets and Irbo contributed 1 time. Milan relied on its continuous clean sheet ability to win many small-scoring victories, accumulating 50 points in 34 league games and successfully won the championship. At the end of the season, they beat Barcelona 4-0 in the UEFA Champions League final, saving their best offensive performance of the season until the end.

7. Paris Saint-Germain - 23 clean sheets

The 2012/13 season was a special year for Paris Saint-Germain. They won their first major championship after Qatar Sports Investment Company took over. After significantly strengthening the lineup, Paris has shown strong dominance in Ligue 1. However, Paris does not only rely on outstanding forwards such as Ibrahimovic and Lavezzi to win. They have also built a super defensive system with Thiago Silva as the core.

In that season, Paris kept accumulating clean sheets, and even achieved 8 consecutive wins and zero sheets in Ligue 1. The French giants have conceded only 23 goals in 38 Ligue 1 games and kept 23 clean sheets. Among them, goalkeeper Siligu completed 21 clean sheets, and Du Xie also recorded several clean sheets! This is their first Ligue 1 title since 1994, and this achievement is also due to their excellent defensive organization!

6. Arsenal - 22 clean sheets

In the 1998/99 season Premier League title race, Arsenal put tremendous pressure on Manchester United. Although the Gunners' offensive performance is not as gorgeous as their opponents, they make up for this gap with their excellent defensive system. In the 1998/99 Premier League season, Arsenal only conceded 17 goals, and their impregnable defense left most opponents helpless.

In this season, Arsenal completed 22 clean sheets in the Premier League, of which David Seaman contributed 19 times, and Danish goalkeeper Manninger also had several clean sheets. From the end of December 1998 to the beginning of February 1999, Arsenal kept zero seals in 7 consecutive games, including games against Liverpool and Chelsea! In the end, they missed the championship by only 1 point, but this excellent clean sheet record is a goal that Arsenal needs to work hard to break today.

5. Manchester United - 24 clean sheets

The years 2006 to 2009 were unforgettable years for Manchester United fans. They witnessed the team achieve three consecutive Premier League titles and win a UEFA Champions League championship. However, the 2008/09 Premier League season may be more remembered because the Red Devils' defensive strength reached its peak that season. As the defending champion, Manchester United occasionally faced scoring difficulties during the season, eventually scoring 68 goals in 38 league games.. But when the offensive players failed to show efficient finishing ability, their unbreakable defensive determination helped the team tide over the difficulties.

Van der Sar set a record of 1,311 minutes without conceding a goal in the Premier League in the 2008/09 season, and completed 21 clean sheets throughout the season. Coupled with several clean sheets from Ben Foster and Kuszczak, the Red Devils finally completed 24 clean sheets in 38 Premier League games and conceded only 24 goals.

4. Atletico Madrid - 24 clean sheets

In the 2015/16 season, Atletico Madrid was known as a "hard nut to crack". Although they failed to win any trophies - losing to local rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League final - the Rossoneri produced one of the best defensive performances of Simeone's tenure that season. In the 2014/15 La Liga season, Atletico Madrid only scored 63 goals in 38 games, nearly 50 goals less than Barcelona, ​​which eventually won the championship.

But Atletico Madrid has only conceded 18 goals in 38 games, making it an extremely difficult team to beat. Oblak completed 24 clean sheets on his own. With his amazing reactions, he made many saves and achieved consecutive clean sheets for Atletico Madrid. This may be Simeone's best example of using the right players and building a defensive system, although Atletico Madrid regretted leaving empty-handed.

3. Chelsea - 25 clean sheets

Mourinho's first season coaching Chelsea will always be remembered by Blues fans because he brought immediate changes to the team. He took over an already strong team from Ranieri and then took the team to a new level through excellent tactical deployment. Mourinho focuses on making Chelsea's defense almost impenetrable. Ultimately, Chelsea set a number of amazing Premier League records that season. The Blues' offensive performance is equally impressive, scoring 72 goals in 38 games, but their defensive strength is undoubtedly more outstanding than their offense.

In the 2004/05 Premier League season, Chelsea conceded only 15 goals in 38 games. This record is still the record for the fewest goals conceded in a Premier League season. They conceded only 9 goals in 19 away games and achieved 10 consecutive wins and zero shutouts from the end of December 2004 to the end of February 2005. Cech is at the absolute peak of his career, and with the assistance of tenacious defenders such as Terry, Carvalho and Gala, he has built an unbreakable line of defense. Cech completed 25 clean sheets in the 2004/05 Premier League season, which is still the highest record for clean sheets by a goalkeeper in a Premier League season.

2. Barcelona - 26 clean sheets

The best period during Xavi's coaching period at Barcelona was undoubtedly the 2022/23 season - after Messi left the team, they struggled to regain another La Liga championship trophy in team history. Barcelona's performance throughout the season has not always been absolutely dominant, but Xavi has at least created a super defensive line, making them a difficult opponent to beat. Barcelona won by small scores of 1-0 many times during the season. It was with this performance that they led the way and won the La Liga championship.

At the end of the season, Barcelona only conceded 20 goals in 38 La Liga games and had 26 clean sheets, tying the record! Ter Stegen was in brilliant form, making many key saves throughout the season and accumulating an astonishing number of clean sheets. If Barcelona players hadn't slacked off in the last 4 games and conceded 8 goals, his record could have been even better!

1. Deportivo La Coruna - 26 clean sheets

In the 1993/94 La Liga season, Deportivo La Coruna unexpectedly became a championship contender, putting tremendous pressure on Barcelona. Although Deportivo's lineup strength and offensive talent are not as good as Barcelona's, they make up for the gap with their tenacious defensive system. Iglesias has successfully built a team with a solid defensive formation, and their strong ability to withstand impact has left many opponents helpless.

Deportivo's goalkeeper Liano's performance that season was particularly amazing. He was like a rock in front of the goal, completing consecutive clean sheets and even setting a record of not conceding a goal in 7 games in the league. Deportivo eventually lost to Barcelona due to goal difference and missed the La Liga title, but they were still proud of themselves. Liano won the Zamora Award by conceding only 18 goals in 38 games, while also completing 26 clean sheets!