The Growing Importance of Football Analytics
31 May 2020
From the origins of data analytics in football to FC Liverpool’s dominance, we explore how stats and algorithms are changing the Beautiful Game.
FOOTBALL ANALYTICS
BLOG
A must-read before diving into football analytics:
Latest articles:
One-twos: a new metric for associative ball progression and chance creation
8 March 2023
Ball progression and chance creation are key phases of play in football, which can be achieved in several ways. In this article, we introduce a new metric which quantifies a
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: Tactical and statistical analysis
3 January 2023
Few players have managed such a scintillating and devastating impact in their Serie A debut season as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian is exceeding expectations thanks to his flair and eye-catching
Introducing Gegenpressing Intensity (GPI)
29 December 2022
Gegenpressing, or counterpressing, is now a well-established strategy in many possession-based teams. To capture this aspect of the game, we introduce a new metric, called Gegenpressing Intensity (GPI), which measures
Focus on THEMATIC RESEARCH
One-twos: a new metric for associative ball progression and chance creation
8 March 2023
Ball progression and chance creation are key phases of play in football, which can be achieved in several ways. In this article, we introduce a new metric which quantifies a
Introducing Gegenpressing Intensity (GPI)
29 December 2022
Gegenpressing, or counterpressing, is now a well-established strategy in many possession-based teams. To capture this aspect of the game, we introduce a new metric, called Gegenpressing Intensity (GPI), which measures
Shot quality and results in football
4 November 2022
We investigate the link between shot quality, as measured by the team average xG per shot, and both results (in terms of wins) and performance (measured with our Expected Points
The Very Exclusive xOVA Club
25 May 2022
We introduced Expected Offensive Value Added, or ‘xOVA’, to facilitate scouting for creative and skilled players, who are able to have a great impact in the final third of the
Focus on TEAMS
Data-driven scouting for Newcastle
18 January 2022
After the takeover from PIF, Newcastle United was set to become one of the main players in January’s transfer market. This has indeed been the case, with the Magpies already
The rejuvenation of Crystal Palace
17 November 2021
Last summer came with many changes for Crystal Palace, with the end of Roy Hodgon’s tenure, the appointment of Patrick Vieira as manager and a very busy transfer window, which
Juventus under coach Pirlo
20 September 2020
Juventus will be one of the most interesting teams to watch in Europe this season. The main reason for our excitement is the leap of faith taken by the top
AZ Alkmaar’s Talent Factory
28 November 2019
The quantity and quality of players that the AZ Academy is able to promote to the first team every year is outstanding. This is no coincidence, but is the result
Focus on LEAGUES
Midseason review: 2022/23 Serie A Women
20 December 2022
The first part of the 2022/23 Serie A Women season has just come to a close. Roma have looked like the best team so far. However the recent clash between
Midseason reviews 2022/23: Serie A
17 November 2022
A stellar start to the season has seen Napoli gain an edge over the rest of the field. Our advanced metrics show that the top spot is well deserved, while
Midseason reviews 2021/22: Serie A
30 December 2021
According to our advanced metrics, Inter Milan are performing better under Inzaghi than they did under Conte last year, when the Nerazzurri won their 19th Scudetto. Whilst AC Milan have
Top 5 leagues through the “xLenses”
13 October 2021
League football is back after an intense international break. Time for recapping what has happened so far in the European top 5 competitions. We have analysed them using our advanced
Focus on PLAYERS
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: Tactical and statistical analysis
3 January 2023
Few players have managed such a scintillating and devastating impact in their Serie A debut season as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian is exceeding expectations thanks to his flair and eye-catching
The evolution of Bruno Fernandes
4 August 2019
Today’s Supertaça against Benfica could represent a farewell match for Sporting CP’s Bruno Fernandes. In the 2018/19 Primeira Liga, Bruno Fernandes captained the Leões to the third place, displaying outstanding performances: playing as
Russian matryoshkas: Historical vs World Cup performances
28 July 2018
We look at ten ‘top players’ and compare their World Cup performances to their historical ones, determining whether – in Russia – they outperformed or underperformed vs their own standards. By
World Cup’s Top-11 and launch of SPR
19 July 2018
We introduce Soccerment Performance Ratings (‘SPR’), an algorithm-driven system aimed at offering a rigorous and unbiased view regarding the performance of football players. What better way to launch SPRs, than
Focus on WONDERKIDS
Wonderkids: 2021 Outlook
14 January 2021
Nothing captures the imagination of a football fan quite like the emergence of wonderkids, players surrounded by both high hopes and expectations, and significant uncertainty. Predicting the career trajectory of
Wonderkids: Ansu Fati
14 January 2021
Of the wonderkids born in 2001 or later, Ansu Fati is the most likely to reach “world-class player” status, according to our analysis. In the final third he participates effectively
Wonderkids: Ryan Gravenberch
14 January 2021
Technically gifted and physically strong, Ryan Gravenberch is reaping the benefits of developing in the perfect environment, AFC Ajax, and being the client of one of the most powerful agents
Wonderkids: Lassina Traoré
14 January 2021
Lassina Traoré is a 19-year-old striker from Burkina Faso who plays for AFC Ajax. While his imposing physique might lead some to consider him a target men, and his finishing
Free EBOOK
The Football Analytics
Handbook
A few years ago, some football clubs (Liverpool, AZ Alkmaar, Brentford), have embraced data analytics and are now starting to greatly benefit from it. Many, now sceptical about the importance of data in football – or soccer if you prefer – will soon follow.
If you’d like to know more about how data analytics is transforming football, download our Football Analytics Handbook: it’s free!
Read it, forward it to your friends and help us with our mission: accelerating the adoption of data analytics in football.
OUR MISSION IS TO ACCELERATE THE ADOPTION OF DATA ANALYTICS IN FOOTBALL
