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Match running performance characterizing the most elite soccer match-play
Toni Modric1, Sime Versic1, Ryland Morgans2
1Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split, Croatia.
Biology of Sport
|October 23, 2023
Summary
Elite soccer players in top leagues show distinct match running performance (MRP). While high-intensity running differs little, top teams increase defensive efforts and decrease offensive ones during matches.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Football Analytics
- Performance Analysis
Background:
- Understanding elite soccer match running performance (MRP) is crucial for optimizing training.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated position-specific MRP differences between top-tier and other league teams.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify position-specific match running performance (MRP) differences in elite soccer players.
- To compare MRP between players from "big five" European leagues (BFLTs) and "non-big five" league teams (N-BFLTs).
Main Methods:
- Data collected from 24 teams (14 BFLTs, 10 N-BFLTs) during 20 UEFA Champions League matches (2020/21 season).
- Utilized a semi-automatic video analysis system to capture MRP data.
- Linear mixed models were employed to analyze differences, controlling for contextual factors.
Main Results:
- No significant overall MRP differences were found between BFLTs and N-BFLTs for fullbacks, central midfielders, wide midfielders, and forwards.
- Central defenders from BFLTs exhibited greater high-intensity running than their N-BFLT counterparts (moderate effect size).
- Players in all positions from BFLTs covered less total and low-intensity distance in the offensive phase and more in the defensive phase compared to N-BFLT players (large effect sizes).
Conclusions:
- Elite soccer match-play is characterized by a strategic shift towards increased defensive efforts and decreased offensive efforts.
- Soccer training programs should be adapted to reflect these findings, emphasizing defensive phase performance.
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