04 Ago The football championship is won when playing away: difference in match statistics between the winner and the second-place team in LaLiga
Summary for practitioners (coaches, analysts, performance staff):
If you’re aiming to win LaLiga, mastering your away games is non-negotiable.
This study analyzed 8 full seasons (2010–2018) of LaLiga to identify what separates the champion from the runner-up. Surprisingly, both teams perform similarly at home. The decisive factor? Performance away from home. Championship-winning teams consistently won more away matches and conceded fewer goals when playing on the road.
Winning away isn’t just about attacking—although champions showed higher shooting accuracy. It’s also about defensive resilience: fewer conceded shots, corners, and free-kick goals were strong indicators of league success. Even though both top teams had elite possession and pass accuracy, those metrics didn’t define who won the title.
Key takeaways you can apply:
- Train to win away: Plan for tactical approaches that don’t settle for a draw away from home. Drawing isn’t enough to win LaLiga.
- Prioritize shooting efficiency: Design drills that end with shots on target under realistic pressure.
- Reduce defensive risks in key moments: Set plays from corners and free-kicks must be defended with extreme discipline—these events are often among the few real threats for top teams.
- Style of play matters: High-intensity pressing and offensive intent are necessary, especially away from home—but ensure physical preparation supports this style.
In short, winning LaLiga is not about being flawless at home. It’s about being better than good when you’re not in your comfort zone.
DOI (Paper): https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2020.1801201