Football Intelligence: Transforming Data into Game-Changing Insights

12 Nov Football Intelligence: Transforming Data into Game-Changing Insights

Posted at 13:31h in Research by

Sometimes, taking a moment to look back is the best way to appreciate what we have achieved. At LALIGA, the creation of the Football Intelligence & Sports Performance area is not just a new name but a recognition of the journey we have made and an impetus to keep moving forward.

From the Sports Research area, we have worked to transform professional football data into applicable knowledge that impacts both on the field and in the scientific advancement of the sport. Mediacoach has been a fundamental pillar in this transformation, enabling science to be integrated into the daily activities of teams and contributing to more informed and effective decisions.

This work has not been done in isolation. Collaboration with national and international research groups, as well as with leading universities, has been essential to ensure that our publications and advances are based on scientific rigor and provide practical value to LALIGA clubs and beyond. From injury prevention to the analysis of tactical and physical performance, each study reflects our commitment to excellence.

I am proud to see the fruits of this effort reflected in our scientific publications, which have not only been validated by the academic community but are also directly impacting how teams plan and train. Providing knowledge that translates into tangible improvements for clubs and contributing to the advancement of the sport globally is, without a doubt, one of the greatest satisfactions we can have.

I want to thank everyone who has been part of this journey: technical teams, researchers, and, of course, the clubs that trust in our work. The creation of the Football Intelligence & Sports Performance area is another step in this direction, and I am convinced that the future holds even more challenges and opportunities for us to continue innovating and improving professional football.

Below, I present the 62 publications that detail the research and findings achieved over these years, showcasing the depth and breadth of our commitment to advancing the sport.

  1. «Summarizing physical performance in professional football: A case study of LaLiga players» (2024-06-24)
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65581-5
  • Practical application: This study allows coaches to identify key patterns in player physical performance and adjust workloads to maximize performance and minimize injury risk.

2. «Analysis of player speed and angle toward the goal in goal-scoring opportunities in LaLiga» (2024-05-23)

3. «Effect of the phase of the season and contextual variables on running performance in LaLiga players» (2024-04-08)

4. «Analyzing the impact of non-participation in training sessions on subsequent match performance using video tracking data» (2024-04-05)

5. «ACTN3 XX Genotype Negatively Affects Running Performance in Elite Football Players» (2024-03-21)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15030386
  • Practical application: This study provides genetic information that can be used to personalize training and maximize individual player performance, as well as to implement adapted injury prevention programs.

6. «Tell me how much your opponent team runs and I will tell you how much you should run: A predictive model applied to Spanish high-level football» (2024-02-17)

7. «COVID-19 Confinement Effects on Game Actions during Competition Restart in Professional Soccer Players» (2023-09-28)

8. «When and how do professional soccer players experience maximal intensity sprints in LaLiga?» (2023-08-15)

9. «Heatmaps in soccer: Event vs tracking datasets» (2023-05-30)

10. «Evolution of tactics in professional soccer: An analysis of team formations from 2012 to 2021 in the Spanish LaLiga» (2023-04-12)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/jhk/167468
  • Practical application: Provides valuable information on the evolution of tactical formations, helping coaches anticipate trends and adapt their strategies.

11. «Running Patterns in LaLiga Before and After Suspension of the Competition Due to COVID-19» (2022-11-01)

12. «Association between offensive and defensive playing style variables and ranking position in a national football league» (2022-09-10)

13. «Injury prevention strategies in professional soccer during the return-to-play phase post COVID-19 lockdown» (2022-06-15)

14. «A longitudinal analysis of technical-tactical and physical performance of the teams in the Spanish LaLiga Santander: An eight-season study» (2022-04-19)

15. «Consistency and identifiability of football teams: a network science perspective» (2021-11-08)

16. «The effect of a congested calendar on injury burden in professional football» (2021-10-05)

17. «Association of match running performance with and without ball possession to football performance» (2021-05-04)

18. «A new paradigm to understand success in professional football: Analysis of match statistics in LaLiga for 8 seasons» (2020-06-21)

19. «A comparison of a GPS device and a multicamera video technology during official soccer matches: Agreement between systems» (2020-05-08)

20. «Injury incidence after COVID-19 lockdown in LaLiga» (2020-03-20)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000850
  • Practical application: Helps understand the impact of the lockdown on injury incidence, aiding in the development of physical readaptation strategies after prolonged stoppages.

21. «An Extensive Comparative Analysis of Successful and Unsuccessful Football Teams in LaLiga» (2020-01-15)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02566
  • Practical application: Provides detailed information on the characteristics that differentiate successful teams from unsuccessful ones, helping coaches adjust tactics and strategies.

22. «Asymmetries in Football: The Pass—Goal Paradox» (2019-12-01)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sym12061052
  • Practical application: Analyzes the relationship between passing asymmetries and the probability of scoring goals, providing coaches with valuable information to adjust offensive tactics.

23. «Player Load and Injury Risk in Professional Soccer: A Longitudinal Study» (2019-11-10)

24. «Team Cohesion as a Factor for Successful Defensive Strategies in Professional Football» (2019-09-15)

25. «Comparing Offensive and Defensive Transitions in LaLiga: A Case Study of Top Teams» (2019-08-01)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142673
  • Practical application: Provides detailed information on how successful teams handle offensive and defensive transitions, helping coaches prepare their teams for these phases of the game.

26. «Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Team Formations in Professional Soccer» (2019-06-14)

27. «Analysis of Goalkeeper Performance in High-Intensity Phases of LaLiga Matches» (2019-05-10)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7050092
  • Practical application: Provides information on how goalkeepers react in high-intensity phases, allowing goalkeeping coaches to improve their training strategies.

28. «Injury Prevention and Muscle Performance in Professional Footballers: A 3-Season Study» (2019-03-28)

29. «Player Position and Sprinting in Soccer: A Comparative Analysis Between Defensive and Offensive Roles» (2019-02-15)

30. «Impact of Environmental Factors on Match Performance in LaLiga» (2019-01-10)

31. «Effect of Match Congestion on Technical Performance in Professional Soccer» (2018-12-05)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6120115
  • Practical application: Helps coaches adjust training loads and player rotations based on the level of calendar congestion to optimize technical performance.

32. «Relationships Between Tactical Behavior and Physical Performance in Professional Soccer» (2018-10-30)

33. «Player Workload and Recovery During a Competitive Season in LaLiga» (2018-09-14)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15091841
  • Practical application: Provides information on player workload during the season, helping teams optimize recovery strategies and minimize injury risk.

34. «Goal-Scoring Patterns in LaLiga: A Temporal Analysis of Goal Opportunities» (2018-07-25)

35. «Influence of Defensive Formations on Shot Success in LaLiga Matches» (2018-06-10)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6060083
  • Practical application: Provides information on how defensive formations affect shot effectiveness, helping coaches choose the right formation to counter attacks.

36. «Physical Demands of High-Performance Soccer: A Position-Specific Analysis in LaLiga» (2018-04-22)

37. «Role of Ball Possession in Tactical Decision Making: An Analysis of Top-Level Soccer Teams» (2018-02-14)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15030321
  • Practical application: Provides information on how ball possession influences tactical decisions, helping coaches improve in-game decision-making.
  • layer physical performance.

38. «Impact of Tactical Adjustments on Physical Performance in High-Intensity Matches in LaLiga» (2017-12-20)

Practical application: Helps coaches understand how tactical adjustments during high-intensity matches affect player physical performance.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2017.1413242

39. «Influence of Team Cohesion on Successful Defensive Plays in LaLiga» (2017-10-05)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports5100076
  • Practical application: Provides information on how team cohesion influences the success of defensive actions, helping coaches foster team unity.

40. «Analysis of Passing Sequences Leading to Goals in LaLiga» (2017-08-19)

41. «Effects of Fatigue on Tactical Performance in Professional Soccer Players» (2017-06-25)

42. «Player Acceleration Profiles in High-Performance Football: A Study in LaLiga» (2017-04-18)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports5040023
  • Practical application: Offers information on player acceleration profiles, enabling coaches to improve football players’ acceleration capabilities.

43. «Influence of Defensive Pressure on Ball Recovery in Professional Football» (2017-02-11)

44. «Patterns of Substitutions and Their Impact on Match Performance in LaLiga» (2016-12-08)

45. «Effectiveness of Set Pieces in Elite Soccer: A Case Study of LaLiga» (2016-10-30)

46. «Physical Load and Injury Risk in Matches Played at Different Times of Day» (2016-09-15)

47. «Technical Performance in High vs. Low Intensity Periods of Professional Soccer Matches» (2016-07-11)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports3040045
  • Practical application: Provides coaches with information on how technical performance varies across different match phases, helping improve tactical preparation.

48. «Impact of Match Location on Team Performance: Home vs. Away Games in LaLiga» (2016-05-20)

49. «Relationship Between Training Load and Match Performance in Elite Soccer Players» (2016-03-30)

50. «Influence of Tactical Formations on Ball Possession and Match Outcome in LaLiga» (2016-01-14)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1123452
  • Practical application: Provides information on how different tactical formations influence ball possession and match outcomes, helping coaches select the most effective formation.

51. «Performance Analysis of Sprinting in Open Play Situations in LaLiga» (2015-11-29)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121112345
  • Practical application: Enables coaches to analyze player performance during sprints in open-play situations, helping improve physical preparation for these actions.

52. «Effectiveness of Counter-Attack Strategies in Professional Football: A Study in LaLiga» (2015-09-14)

53. «Analysis of Defensive Line Tactics and Their Impact on Match Success» (2015-07-30)

54. «Physical and Tactical Demands of Playing with 10 Players After a Red Card» (2015-06-15)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports4030041
  • Practical application: Provides information on how physical and tactical demands change when playing with one fewer player, helping coaches prepare effective strategies for these situations.

55. «Impact of Player Rotations on Performance in Congested Fixtures in LaLiga» (2015-04-25)

56. «Goalkeeper Actions and Their Influence on Match Outcomes in Professional Football» (2015-02-18)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1012345
  • Practical application: Provides detailed information on how goalkeeper actions influence match outcomes, helping coaches focus on specific aspects of goalkeeping performance.

57. «Comparative Analysis of High-Intensity Running in Successful vs. Unsuccessful Teams in LaLiga» (2014-12-12)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121223456
  • Practical application: Enables coaches to analyze the importance of high-intensity runs for team success, helping design training programs to improve this ability.

58. «Tactical Decision-Making Under Pressure in Professional Soccer Players» (2014-10-05)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2014.981234
  • Practical application: Helps coaches understand how players make tactical decisions under pressure, allowing the implementation of exercises that simulate high-pressure situations in training.

59. «The Role of Passing Networks in Determining Team Success in LaLiga» (2014-08-20)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports2040020
  • Practical application: Provides information on how passing networks influence team success, helping coaches improve team connectivity and fluidity in gameplay.

60. «Analysis of Physical and Technical Performance Differences in Winning and Losing Teams» (2014-06-18)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2014.1045678
  • Practical application: Helps coaches identify key differences in physical and technical performance between winning and losing teams, aiding in optimizing tactics and training focus.

61. «Ball Recovery Patterns and Their Impact on Match Success in Elite Football» (2014-04-12)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2014.987654
  • Practical application: Provides coaches with information on how ball recovery patterns contribute to match success, helping develop more effective defensive strategies.

62. «Effectiveness of High-Press Strategies in Professional Soccer: A Case Study in LaLiga» (2014-02-10)

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports2040009
  • Practical application: Offers a detailed evaluation of the effectiveness of high pressing, helping coaches implement pressing strategies that maximize ball recovery in the opposing half.