21 Feb The Key Role of Defensive Ground Duels in Winning Matches: A Data-Driven Approach for Professional Coaches
Introduction
In elite football, every detail matters. Winning or losing a game can be influenced by factors that often go unnoticed. At LALIGA, through the Football Intelligence & Performance Area, we continuously analyze match data using scientific methodologies, but always with a focus on practical application for coaching staffs.
In this study, we analyzed all matches of a LALIGA EA SPORTS club from the previous season to identify which factors have a significant impact on winning matches. Rather than relying on general statistics, we applied an approach tailored to the specific realities of professional football.
The result? A clear, statistically significant finding: teams that perform better in defensive ground duels have a higher probability of winning matches. But what does this mean in practical terms for coaching staffs?
Methodology: How We Identified the Key Winning Factor
What We Analyzed
Instead of looking at duels in a generic way, we categorized them into:
- Aerial vs. Ground duels
- Offensive vs. Defensive duels
- Considering the game phase in which they occur
Then, we segmented matches into two groups:
- Won Matches
- Not Won Matches (Draws & Losses)
Using statistical tests (ANOVA and Welch’s t-tests), we examined whether success in these types of duels varied significantly between matches that were won and those that were not.
Key Findings: Why Defensive Ground Duels Matter
A statistically significant pattern emerged:
- The team had a higher success rate in defensive ground duels in matches they won.
- In matches where they did not win (draws or losses), their effectiveness in these duels was significantly lower.
- This suggests that defensive ground duels are not just a minor detail but a key performance indicator (KPI) for this team’s success.
This insight goes beyond raw numbers. It provides clear, actionable intelligence for coaches looking to improve their team’s ability to win matches through defensive solidity.
How Coaches Can Apply This Insight to Training and Match Strategy
1. Adjusting Defensive Training Sessions
- Given the strong correlation between winning matches and success in defensive ground duels, coaches should prioritize 1v1 defensive duels in training.
- Sessions should replicate match scenarios, focusing on:
- Defensive positioning and body orientation before the duel
- Timing and aggressiveness when engaging in the challenge
- Post-duel reactions (second-ball recovery, transition to attack, etc.)
2. Tactical Adjustments in Competition
- Knowing that winning defensive ground duels is a key factor in securing victories, coaching staffs can:
- Assess their team’s duel effectiveness at halftime to adjust their defensive approach.
- Identify players struggling in duels and reinforce their positioning or intensity.
- Adapt pressing strategies based on areas where duels are being won or lost.
3. Video Analysis for Tactical Feedback
- At LALIGA, we ensure that this type of analysis is not just theoretical. Using Mediacoach Vision, we build interactive dashboards that allow coaching staffs to:
- Filter duels by pitch zone
- Analyze player performance in defensive duels
- Review key moments in won and lost matches
- Contextualize duels within different tactical situations
This ensures that the data is directly linked to video analysis, allowing coaches to visually confirm trends and adapt their game plans accordingly.
Conclusion: Using Data Science to Gain a Competitive Edge
This study demonstrates how data-driven insights can directly influence coaching decisions in professional football.
Defensive ground duels are not just a statistic; they are a key performance indicator that can be worked on in training, analyzed in video sessions, and adjusted during matches.
With the support of LALIGA’s Football Intelligence & Performance Area, more and more coaching staffs are leveraging match data to gain a competitive advantage.
Rather than relying on intuition alone, teams now have the tools to turn raw data into tactical knowledge—and most importantly, into better performances on the pitch.