No abstract

In recent years, the number of technology companies providing data to football teams has multiplied. At first, the provided information focused more on physical fitness parameters, but today, ever more data is being generated on technical-tactical performance. The objective of this study was to review the studies on technical-tactical variables based on the information offered by data providers from every country’s regular elite league championship. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards. A total of 31 studies were selected. LaLiga (27.91%) and the Premier League (18.60%) were the most studied competitions. Amisco was the company with the largest number of studies (54.84%). Descriptive studies (58.06%) predominated over comparative (22.58%) and predictive analyses (19.05%). “Style of play”, “contextual variables” (descriptive analysis), and “demarcation” (comparative analysis) were the most used objectives in the 28 studies reviewed.

This study aimed to understand the way tactical football analysts perceive the general match analysis issues and to analyze their tactical interpretation of the predictive models of conceded goal-scoring opportunities. Nine tactical analysts responded to the semi-structured interviews that included a general section on the match analysis and a specific one on the results of a study on goal-scoring opportunities conceded by a Spanish La Liga team. Following their transcription, the interviews were codified into categories by the two researchers using Atlas Ti® software. Subsequently, frequency count and co-occurrence analysis were performed based on the encodings. The content analysis reflected that analysts play a crucial role in the analysis of their own team and that of the opponent, the essential skills to exercise as a tactical analyst being “understanding of the game” and “clear observation methodology.” Based on the case study of the conceded goal-scoring opportunities, the major causes and/or solutions attributed by analysts in some of the predictive models were the adaptability of the “style of play” itself according to the “opponent” and “pressure after losing.”

La variabilidad, imprevisibilidad y bajo tanteo del fútbol lo convierten en un sistema dinámico y complejo de analizar donde cada detalle puede ser determinante para el resultado final. Por ello, el principal objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los goles recibidos (N=61) de un equipo de fútbol profesional a partir de variables situacionales, ofensivas y defensivas. Se aplicó la metodología observacional para analizar al Real Betis Balompié (temporada 2017-2018) a partir de una herramienta validada.  Fueron utilizadas técnicas de análisis descriptivas y tests de independencia. Los resultados sobre las variables situacionales reflejan que en el ‘intervalo 76-90’ e ir ‘perdiendo’ son factores que provocan el aumento de goles encajados. La forma y zona de pérdida que obtuvieron mayores porcentajes fue ‘Robo’ (36,1%) y ‘Z6’ (19,7%). Del total de goles encajados, el 62,3% fue con 4 o más jugadores propios por delante del balón. Respecto al rival, utiliza pocos pases (<4) en el 63,9% de los goles recibidos. Se concluye que los últimos 15´ son determinantes en el balance de goles encajados. Esta influencia se incrementa si el resultado está en contra. Por último, dado el alto porcentaje de éxito rival en los ataques con poca duración y escasos pases, parece que frenar el primer pase en la transición defensa-ataque pudiera disminuir el número de goles encajados.The variability, unpredictability and low score of football make it a dynamic and complex system difficult to analyze where every detail can be determinant for the final result. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to analyze the goals which were received (N=61) by a professional football team from situational, offensive and defensive variables. The observational methodology was applied to analyze Real Betis Balompié (2017-2018 season) with a validated tool. Descriptive analysis techniques and independence tests were used. The results of the situational variables reflect that in the '76-90 interval' and 'losing' are factors that cause the increase in goals conceded. The form and area of loss that obtained higher percentages was 'Theft' (36.1%) and 'Z6' (19.7%). Of the total number of goals conceded, 62.3% were with 4 or more of their own players ahead of the ball. With respect to the opponent, it uses few passes (<4) in 63.9% of the goals conceded. It is concluded that the last 15' are decisive in the balance of goals conceded. This influence increases if the team is losing. Finally, given the high percentage of rival success in attacks with short duration and scarce passes, it seems that stopping the first pass in the defense-attack transition could decrease the number of goals conceded.