The aim of the present study was to compare how goal scoring opportunities emerge in the top four European soccer leagues. The sample included 914 team possessions that led to the creation of goal scoring opportunities in open play situations from 80 random matches (20 = Spanish La Liga (SLL); 20 = English Premier League (EPL); 20 = German Bundelisga (GB); 20 = Italian Serie A (ISA)) during 2017–2018 season. A total of 8 tactical dimensions related to the start, development and the end of the team possessions were evaluted by means of multidimensional observation. Kruskal Wallis analyses revealed significant tactical differences between the 4 competitions. SLL showed a greater proportion of long and combinative attacks. EPL had a higher tendency of progressing by means of fast and directs attacks. GB had the greatest number of counter-attacks, and ISA had the shortest offensive sequences and more proportion of counter-attacks and direct attacks than combinative and fast attacks. These results provide important insights to coaches and sporting directors to understand the different tactical requirements of each competition and manage the club’s strategies regarding tactical model, player recruitment and youth development.

The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects of tactical and contextual indicators on achieving offensive penetration and scoring opportunities in English Premier League (EPL) soccer matches. A total of 1971 team possessions from 20 random matches were evaluated by means of multidimensional observation. The EPL matches had a great proportion of fast attacks (36.0%) followed by combinative (29.6%), direct attacks (24.1%) and counterattacks (9.5%). Multilevel logistic regression models revealed that counterattacks (OR = 3.428; 95% CI: 2.004–5.864; P<0.001) were more effective to create goal scoring opportunities than combinative attacks, while direct attacks showed to be less effective (OR = 0.472; 95% CI: 0.264–0.845; P<0.05). Playing at home increased the probability (OR = 1.530; 95% CI: 1.097–2.135; P<0.05) of creating goal scoring opportunities compared with playing away. These findings show the multifactorial character of soccer and how different contextual and tactical indicators can influence the creation of offensive penetration and goal scoring opportunities in the English Premier League.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the combined effects of tactical, technical and contextual dimensions on shooting effectiveness in European professional soccer. The sample included 1608 team possessions that led to a shot from 80 random matches (English Premier League = 20; Spanish La Liga = 20; Italian Serie A = 20; German Bundesliga = 20), which were evaluated by multidimensional observation. Multilevel logistic regression models were constructed to determine the effects of nine technical-tactical dimensions and four contextual variables on the shooting effectiveness. Multivariate analyses showed that shooting from the ultra-offensive zone was more effective than shooting from the offensive and advanced zones (OR = 0.385: CI: 0.263–0.564; P > 0.001 – OR = 0.101; CI: 0.054–0.188; P.0.001). Also, shooting against opponent defensive pressure decreased the probabilities of scoring goal, in comparison with shooting without defensive pressure (OR = 1.542; CI: 1.032–2.304; P.0.05). Additionally, high-ranked teams had higher odds of scoring goal than low-ranked teams (OR = 2.028; CI: 1.281–3.211; P > 0.01) when shooting at goal, regardless of the effect of the defensive pressure. This study concludes that not only offensive but also defensive and contextual dimensions play a relevant impact on determining the shooting effectiveness in European professional soccer.

Performance analysis in complex sports like soccer requires the study of the influence of the interaction between both teams during the game on final performance. The mixed methods approach involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data for the same purpose and within the framework of the same study. To build certain observation tools, mixed methods are necessary in order to take advantage of integration between qualitative and quantitative elements. The aim of this study was to develop a new no standard observation tool to analyze soccer offensive performance considering not only the observed team but also some aspects of the opponent behavior, as well as to test its reliability. The process consisted in expert meetings and exploratory observations. Experts carried out several design and re-design steps of the observation tool to its final form which includes two macro-criteria and 31 dimensions. The basic unit of analysis was the “team possession” and the main aims of study were: (a) technical, tactical and spatial characteristics of the start, the development and the end of the team possession and its offensive performance, (b) the behavior of the observed team just after losing the ball possession and its defensive performance. Inter-observer and intra-observer analysis were carried out and kappa coefficient was calculated to test the observation tool reliability and improve the quality of data. Results indicate that optimal inter and intra-reliability levels obtained in this work are high enough as for suggesting that the observation tool for offensive performance in soccer (REOFUT) could be an adequate tool for analyzing offensive play actions and their performance in soccer.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of playing tactics on creating scoring opportunities in counterattacks from the United States Major League Soccer (MLS) 2014 season. The sample included 452 counterattack possessions, corresponding to 30 randomly selected matches. Multidimensional data from 14 categorical variables were analysed by means of a descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression. Counterattacks that started in the pre-offensive zone and had initial penetration were more effective in creating scoring opportunities than those that started in the defensive zone (OR=3.825; 95% IC: 1.765 to 8.289; p<0.01), and those without initial penetration (OR=8.689; 95% IC: 1.142 to 66.116; p<0.05), only when the defensive team did not exert initial defensive pressure. Besides this, counterattacks with four or more passes were more effective than shorter ones, regardless of the initial defensive pressure. In terms of defence, not carrying out initial defensive pressure after losing the ball possession increased the probability of conceding scoring opportunities by means of counterattack by a factor of three (OR=3.315; 95% IC: 1.684 to 6.525; p<0.01). Effectiveness in the counterattacks analysed in MLS were associated with regaining ball possession in offensive zones, performing initial penetration, making four or more passes and playing against no initial defensive pressure.

This study aimed to explore the differences in playing style and technical performance according to the ranking level in Spanish football teams. The sample comprised 38 professional teams that competed in LaLiga from 2008/09 to 2020/21, with a total of 4940 matches. The teams were grouped by their final ranking position: Champion (1st); Champions League (2^nd–4^th); Europa League (5^th–6^th); middle teams (7^th–17^th); and relegated teams (18^th–20^th). Linear mixed models were used to examine the effects of the team ranking on variables related to playing style and technical performance. The F² statistic was calculated as effect size (ES). Regarding the style of play, the Champion teams initiated offensive sequences from a more advanced field position than the remaining ranking groups with a descending effect as the ranking position decreased (p < 0.001; ES = medium). The sequence duration and passes per sequence showed a decreasing effect across ranking groups (both p < 0.001; ES = small). In contrast, the direct speed showed an increasing effect as the ranking position decreased (p < 0.001; ES = small). A decreasing effect was observed in the number of sequences ending in the final third as the ranking position decreased (p < 0.001; ES = large) while no effect was found for the sequences ending in a shot. There was a reduction effect in ball possession, passing accuracy, through balls and crosses as the teams’ ranking decreased (all p < 0.001; ES = small-to-large). In summary, higher-ranked teams had an advanced starting position, longer offensive sequences, slower progression speed, more ball possession, higher passing accuracy, and more crosses and through balls than lower-ranked teams. Football coaches should consider that adopting a playing style focused on regaining the ball possession in advanced field zones and using long passing sequences can be an effective tactical strategy to improve the teams’ ranking during the season.