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 study the combined effects of tactical and contextual dimensions on achieving offensive performance in open play possessions from Spanish “La Liga” soccer matches. 1860 team possessions from 20 random matches were evaluated by means of multidimensional observation. Multilevel regression models were constructed to predict the probability to achieve offensive performance according to the tactical and contextual dimensions registered in each possession. Performing penetrative actions after recovering the ball (OR = 1.497; 95% CI: 1.022–2.192; P < 0.05), and progressing by fast attacks (OR = 3.588; 95% CI: 2.045–6.294; p < 0.001) or counterattacks (OR = 7.097; 95% CI: 3.530–14.269; P < 0.001) was more effective to create scoring opportunities than performing a non-penetrative action and progressing by combinative attack, respectively. Also, progressing by long possessions (OR = 5.057; 95% CI: 2.406–10.627; p < 0.001) was more effective than progressing by short possessions to create scoring opportunities. As for contextual dimensions, multivariate analyses showed how playing at home and against high-ranked opponents registered more likelihood of achieving offensive penetration, although no associations were found in the production of scoring opportunities. Tactical dimensions as initial penetration, type of attack and possession length played an important role on achieving offensive penetration and goal scoring opportunities in Spanish Soccer “La Liga”.

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.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the interactive effects of contextual variables on the attacking style of play in professional soccer. 5849 team possessions from 40 random matches from Spanish La Liga and English Premier League 2017-2018 were analysed by means of multidimensional observation. Multilevel multivariate logistic regressions showed that home teams had higher odds of implementing fast attacks (p<.05) and lower odds of implementing direct attacks (p<.05) than combinative attacks. High-ranked teams presented lower odds of using direct attacks (p<.05) than combinative attacks in comparison with low-ranked teams, while playing against high-ranked opponents decreased the probability of implementing fast (p<.05) and direct attacks (p<.05) in comparison with lowranking opponents. As for match status, winning teams presented higher probabilities of attacking by means of counterattacks (p<.001) and direct attacks (p<.001) than combinative attacks compared to losing teams. Finally, playing during the second half presented higher odds of progressing by counterattacks (p<.01) than by combinative attacks. Our results suggest that tactical analysts, coaches and researchers should consider the interactive effects of contextual variables on the teams' style of play when evaluating the offensive performance in professional soccer.

The aim of this theoretical review is to summarize the key performance indicators and contextual variables that have been related to goal scoring in soccer, as well as to discuss the new perspectives and future challenges for the development of research studies on this topic. Firstly, situational variables such as match location, time of the game, opponent level, as well as match status have been shown to have an influence on goal scoring. Secondly, tactical factors such as the team possession type of start, starting zone, initial opponent positioning, type of attack, pass number per possession, type of assist, finishing zone and type of finishing have been described as performance indicators related to goal scoring in professional soccer. During the past, the vast majority of studies analysed tactical or technical indicators isolated from the complex and multifactorial process of creating goal scoring situations. Currently, the emergence of new research methods such as position data, network analysis, temporal patterns or mixed methods has broadened the possibilities for researchers to capture the complexity of soccer actions and interactions. Thus, some future challenges in the analysis of goal scoring in soccer should explore: a) the multidimensional evaluation of shooting effectiveness, b) the goal effectiveness of different styles of play, c) the goal-scorer’s skills, d) the further exploration of the effect of players interactions on goal scoring, e) f) the effects of training methods on goal scoring and f) the influence of contextual variables on goal scoring actions.Resumen. El objetivo de esta revisión teórica es sintetizar los principales indicadores de rendimiento y variables contextuales que han sido relacionados con marcar goles en fútbol, así como discutir nuevas perspectivas y futuros retos en el desarrollo de estudios científicos sobre este tema. En primer lugar, variables contextuales como localización del partido, tiempo de juego, nivel del oponente y marcador han mostrado una influencia en el proceso de marcar goles. En segundo lugar, indicadores tácticos como el tipo de inicio de la posesión ofensiva, la zona de inicio, el posicionamiento inicial del equipo rival, el tipo de ataque, el número de pases por posesión, el tipo de asistencia, la zona de finalización y el tipo de finalización han sido descritos en la literatura relacionada con el análisis del gol en fútbol. Sin embargo, la gran mayoría de estudios han analizado indicadores tácticos y técnicos aislados del proceso complejo y multifactorial que supone generar situaciones de gol. En los últimos años, han surgido nuevas metodologías de investigación como el “position data”, “análisis de redes”, “análisis de patrones temporales” y “métodos mixtos” que han aumentado las posibilidades de capturar e investigar la complejidad de las acciones e interacciones del juego en fútbol. Por lo tanto, algunos de los retos de futuros estudios sobre análisis de los goles en fútbol deberían explorar: a) la evaluación multidimensional de la efectividad del tiro en fútbol, b) la efectividad para marcar gol de diferentes estilos de juego, c) las habilidades especificas de los goleadores, d) la mayor exploración del efecto de las interacciones entre jugadores en la generación de situaciones de gol, e) los efectos del entrenamiento en la capacidad de marcar goles y f) la influencia de las variables contextuales en las acciones relacionadas con los goles.

Purpose The aim of the study was to describe how scoring opportunities emerge and finish in Major League Soccer, taking into account offensive and defensive tactical indicators. Methods The total of 360 team possessions that led to scoring opportunities during 30 random matches from Major...