This study aimed to analyze and compare the match running performance during official matches across four seasons (2015/2016–2018/2019) in the top two professional leagues of Spanish football. Match running performance data were collected from all matches in the First Spanish Division (Santander; n = 1520) and Second Spanish Division (Smartbank; n = 1848), using the Mediacoach^® System. Total distance and distances of 14–21 km·h⁻¹, 21–24 km·h⁻¹, and more than 24 km·h⁻¹, and the number of sprints between 21 and 24 km·h⁻¹ and more than 24 km·h⁻¹ were analyzed. The results showed higher total distances in the First Spanish Division than in the Second Spanish Division (p < 0.001) in all the variables analyzed. Regarding the evolution of both leagues, physical demands decreased more in the First Spanish Division than in the Second Spanish Division. The results showed a decrease in total distance and an increase in the high-intensity distances and number of sprints performed, although a clearer trend is perceived in the First Spanish Division (p < 0.001; p < 0.01, respectively). Knowledge about the evolution of match running performance allows practitioners to manage the training load according to the competition demands to improve players’ performances and reduce the injury rate.

This study aimed to examine the position-specific evolution of technical and physical parameters in the Spanish LaLiga over an eight-season period. Match performance data of players were analysed for eight consecutive seasons from 2012/2013 to 2019/2020. A total of 32,775 individual match observations were analysed using a computerised tracking system (TRACAB, Chyronhego, New York, USA). The players were classified into five positional roles: central defenders (CD; match observations = 9,089), external defenders (ED; match observations = 7,876), central midfielders (CM; match observations = 8,276), external midfielders (EM; match observations = 3,949), and forwards (F; match observations = 3,585). Generalised linear models were used to analyse the differences in players’ match performance according to the season and playing position. Total distance decreased by 3.2% in the final season versus the first season (p < 0.01, effect size = 0.37) in all playing positions. The number of efforts made at high-intensity running (HIR) increased across the eight seasons (ranging from 14.6% in ED to 9.2% in EM). However, whereas CD (+8.2%), ED (+9.5%), CM (+9.3%), and F (+8.0%) increased HIR distance from 2012 to 2020, no significant differences were found for EM (+1.7%). Overall, no differences were found in the number of total passes, short passes, long passes, and pass accuracy. Interestingly, CD increased the number of total passes (30.60%), short passes (31.5%), and long passes (26.5%). Finally, players performed 46.0% less tackles, 40.8% less clearances, and 10.0% more interceptions over the eight-season period. These findings may be useful for position-specific technical and physical training and talent identification.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between the time spent in possession by teams and the match running performance in elite soccer matches. Match performance data were collected from players in Spanish LaLiga (8,468 individual match observations of 412 outfield players) using a multiple-camera computerised tracking system. A k-means cluster analyses classified teams depending on time spent in possession of the ball: Very High-Percentage Ball Possession Teams (VHPBPT), High-Percentage Ball Possession Teams (HPBPT), Low-Percentage Ball Possession Teams (LPBPT) and Very Low-Percentage Ball Possession Teams (VLPBPT). Overall, physical indicators were highly associated with ball possession. Distances covered in VHPBPT were lower than HPBPT, LPBPT and VLPBPT, especially at low and medium speed. Position-specific changes were also evident for physical profiles. Attackers (Central midfielders, External midfielders and Forwards) in VHPBPT covered fewer meters per minute at any speed than their counterparts in HPBPT, LPBPT or VLPBPT. However, defenders (Central defenders and External defenders) in VLPBPT covered lower distances. These findings may have a great deal of practical implications and may help coaches to better understand match running variations according to ball possession strategies and could be used to develop a model for predicting the physical activity profile in competition.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between match running patterns with and without ball possession and the number of points earned at the end of the Spanish football league (La Liga). Running distance covered with and without ball possession at speeds ≥21 and <21 km/h were analysed from 4 consecutive seasons (2015–2016 to 2018–2019). The league champion ran a shorter distance per match than the teams that classified for the Champions League (P = 0.05), than the teams ranked in the middle of the ranking (P = 0.02), and the teams that were relegated to the second division (P = 0.04). However, the league champion and the teams that classified for the Champions League ran a greater distance with ball possession than teams in the middle of the ranking (P < 0.01) and relegation teams (P < 0.01). A stepwise multiple regression analysis was able to explain only 37.9% of the total variance in the number of points with match running variables. In conclusion, the best football teams cover a greater distance with the ball than the less successful teams but the contribution of match running performance to overall football success is limited.

To 1) examine the periods in which maximal intensity sprints occurred during professional soccer matches and 2) analyze the maximal intensity sprints registered in match play considering the effect...

The aim of this study was to determine the association of playing style and efficacy variables with football success in a professional football league. Match statistics were obtained from 23 football teams competing in the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 seasons of the Spanish national league(LaLiga). Offensive and defensive playing style and efficacy variables were calculated. Pearson’s correlation coefficient tests and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to establish the influence of these variables on the number of points obtained at the end of the season and on the ranking position. In isolation, the efficacy of completion showed the highest association with ranking points and position. A two-dimension PCA explained 77.8% of the variance in the ranking position. In dimension-1 (58.5%), game initiative and attack building, and in dimension-2 (19.3%), efficacy of defensive containment and a lower rate of long passes were within the variables that explained more variance in the ranking position. Success in football, measured by ranking position at the end of the Spanish national league, was associated with several playing style and efficacy variables. Overall, a dominant game style with high efficacy to finish attacking plays, and an offensive game initiative, are most associated with successful football.