Author: Dr. López del Campo

15 Abr

Posted at 12:12h in Research

Introduction For years, one idea has dominated football: Players born in January are more likely to become professionals. It’s simple. It’s intuitive.And analytically, it’s misleading. Using data from all players in LALIGA EA SPORTS 2024/25, we revisited the Relative Age Effect (RAE). The conclusion is clear: The issue is not January.It’s...

16 Mar

Posted at 12:30h in Paper

What really wins matches in elite football?Is it possession… or decision-making? This study analysed 380 LaLiga matches to understand how tactical, technical, and physical behaviours change depending on the match outcome — controlling for context like opponent level, ranking, or match location. The Key Message Winning teams don’t...

09 Mar

Posted at 13:33h in Research

https://youtube.com/shorts/vuz888bblgk?feature=share Concepts like low block, mid block, or high block are deeply embedded in the language of football. Coaches use them when preparing matches.Analysts rely on them when describing defensive strategies.Commentators frequently mention them during broadcasts. Despite their widespread use, these concepts are rarely measured objectively. In practice, the...