Savvas Papadopoulos1, Katerina Papadimitriou1, Xanthi Konstantinidou1, Ourania Matsouka1, Georgios Pafis1, Dimitris Papadopoulos1
1Democritus University of Thrace, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Komotini, Greece
Factors Leading to Goal Scoring in the Spanish and Italian Soccer Leagues
Sport Mont 2021, 19(1), 13-18 | DOI: 10.26773/smj.210205
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyse the goal-scoring attacks made by the top four teams in the final standings of the Spanish and Italian 2017–2018 Football League tables. One of the objectives of the study was to compare the match behaviours leading to goal scoring, demonstrated by the aforementioned teams. The sample of the study comprised 606 goals, 316 scored in the Spanish League and 290 in the Italian League, and 280 matches. The phases were recorded using the SportScout coaching tool. The studied parameters were: time frame in which the goals were scored, type of final attempt, type of play that resulted in a goal, type of attack, mode of set play, goal-scoring zone, zone of the final pass, starting zone of the attack, and number of passes. The data were statistically processed using the Crosstabs analysis and the Chi-square significance test. The results showed that the two leagues differed in the type of attack and in the offensive zone. The observed differences were possibly due to the different approach to the game in the two leagues, with the Spanish teams relying more on organized combination play, while the Italians showed a greater diversity in their offensive play.
Keywords
offensive tactics, elite leagues, video analysis
View full article
(PDF – 215KB)
References
Armatas, V., Giannakos, A., Papadopoulou, S., & Skoufas, D. (2009). Evaluation of goals scoring in top ranking soccer matches Greek Super league 2006-07. Serbian Journal of Sport Sciences, 3 (1), 39-43.
Armatas, V., Giannakos A., & Hatzimanouil, D. (2007). Record and Evaluation of Set-Plays in European Football Championship in Portugal 2004. Inquiries in Sport & Physical Education, 5 (2), 302-307.
Bar-Eli, Μ., & Azar, H. O. (2009). Penalty kicks in soccer: an empirical analysis of shooting strategies and goalkeepers‟ preferences. Soccer & Society, 10 (2), 183–191. https://doi.org/10.1080/14660970802601654
Campos, N., Drezner, R., & Cortez, J. (2016). Análise da ocorrência temporal dos gols no Campeonato Brasileiro 2011. Revista Brasileira de Ciências do Esporte, 38 (1), 58-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbce.2015.11.011
Carling, C., Williams, A., & Reilly, T. (2005). The handbook of soccer match analysis. Routledge.
Cerrah, A. O., Özer, B., & Bayram, Ι. (2016). Quantitative Analysis of Goals Scored from Set Pieces: Turkey Super League Application. Türkiye Klinikleri Journal of Sports Sciences, 8 (2), 37-45. https://doi.org/10.5336/sportsci.2016-50745
Chekol, B. (2016). Analysis of goal scoring prototype in the 2014/15 final qualifying competition to premiere entrance in Ethiopia. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 3 (3), 17-22.
Çobanoglu, H. O. (2019). Analysis of Goal Scored on Russia World Cup 2018. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 7 (2), 184-191. https://doi.org/10.11114/jets.v7i2.3998
Durlik, K., & Bieniek, P. (2014). Analysis of goals and assists diversity in English Premier League. Journal of Health Sciences, 4 (05), 47-56.
Fernandez-Navarro, J., Fradua, L., Zubillaga, A., Ford, P. R., & Allistair P.M. (2018). Influence of contextual variables on styles of play in soccer. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 18 (3), 423-436. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2018.1479925
González-Rodenas, J., López-Bondia, I., Calabuig, F., & Aranda, R. (2015). Tactical Indicators associated with the creation of goal scoring opportunities in professional soccer. Cultura Ciencia y Deporte, 10 (30), 215-225.
González-Rodenas, J., López-Bondia, I., Calabuig, F., Pérez-Turpin, J.A., & Aranda, R. (2017). Creation of goal scoring opportunities by means of different types of offensive actions in US Major League Soccer. Human Movement, 18 (5), 98-108. https://doi.org/10.5114/hm.2017.73616
Hughes, M. & Franks, I. (2005). Analysis of passing sequences, shots and goals in soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences, 23 (5), 509–514. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410410001716779
Leite, W. S. S. (2013). Euro 2012: Analysis and Evaluation of Goals Scored. International Journal of Sports Science, 3 (4), 102-106. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.sports.20130304.02
Leite, W. S. S. (2017). Temporal analysis of goals scored in European football leagues soccer. International Journal of Yogic, Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 2 (1), 33-36.
Link, D., Kolbinger, O., Weber, H., & Stöckl, M. (2016). A topography of free kicks in soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34 (24), 2312–2320. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1232487
Mitrotasios, M., Gonzalez-Rodenas, J., Armatas, V. & Aranda, R. (2019). The creation of goal scoring opportunities in professional soccer. Tactical differences between Spanish La Liga, English Premier League, German Bundesliga and Italian Serie A. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 19 (3), 452-465. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2019.1618568
Njororai, W.W. S. (2013). Analysis of goals scored in the 2010 world cup soccer tournament held in South Africa. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 13 (1), 6-13. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2013.01002
Njororai, W. S. S. (2014). Timing of Goals Scored in Selected European and South American Soccer Leagues, FIFA and UEFA Tournaments and the Critical Phases of a Match. International Journal of Sports Science, 4 (6A), 56-64. https://doi.org/10.5923/s.sports.201401.08
Palomino, F. A., Rigotti, L., & Rustichini, A. (1998). Skill, Strategy and Passion: An Empirical Analysis of Soccer. Tilburg University. Retrieved April, 2019 from http://research.tilburguniversity.edu/en/publications/skill-strategy-and-passion-an-empirical-analysis-of-soccer
Sainz de Baranda, P., & Lopez-Riquelme, D. (2012). Analysis of corner kicks in relation to match status in the 2006 World Cup. European Journal of Sport Science, 12 (2), 121-129. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2010.551418
Stolen, T., Chamari, K., Castagna, C., & Wisloff, U. (2005). Physiology of soccer. An Update. Sports Medicine, 35 (6), 501-536. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535060-00004
Tousios, T., Michailidis, Y., Mandroukas, A., Mikikis, D., & Metaxas, T. (2018). Differences in goal scoring and minutes of scoring between two European Championships, one among 16 teams (Euro 2012) and the other among 24 teams (Euro 2016). Series Physical Education and Sport, 16 (2), 365-373. https://doi.org/10.22190/FUPES180820033T
Vergonis, A., Michailidis, Y., Mikikis, D., Semaltianou, E., Mavrommatis, G., Christoulas, K., & Metaxas, T. (2019). Technical and tactical analysis of goal scoring patterns in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Physical Education and Sport, 17 (2), 181-193. https://doi.org/10.22190/FUPES190612019V
Wright, C., Atkins, S., Polman, R., Jones, B., &Sargeson, L. (2011). Factors Associated with Goals and Goal Scoring Opportunities in Professional Soccer. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 11 (3), 438-449. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2011.11868563