25 Mar The Modern Tiki-Taka: How Passes Continue to Define Success in LALIGA
Introduction
This analysis has been conducted by the Football Intelligence & Performance department of LALIGA, based on data from the 2023/24 season of LALIGA EA Sports.
To better understand the different types of completed passes based on movement, we used a model based on the Convex Hull of the opposing team’s defensive block. Each analyzed pass involves a player making the pass and another receiving it after executing a movement. Depending on where the receiver controls the ball relative to the defensive block, the pass is classified into one of the following categories:
- Completed pass on support movement: When the receiver gets the ball in front of the opponent’s defensive block.
- Completed pass on wide movement: When the receiver gets the ball on the sides of the defensive block.
- Completed pass on movement behind the defensive line: When the receiver gets the ball behind the defensive block without being offside.
- Completed pass on inside movement: When the receiver gets the ball inside the defensive block.
This model differentiates various passing types and provides insights into how teams break defensive lines through different playing dynamics.
Performance Group Analysis
To better understand how passing styles differentiated teams based on their performance in the 2023/24 season, we compared metrics among Champions Group, Europa Group, Mid-Table Teams, and Relegated Teams. The results show statistically significant differences in several categories:
- Completed passes: Teams in the Champions Group completed significantly more passes than those in the Relegated Teams, Mid-Table Teams, and Europa Group.
- Completed passes on movement behind the defensive line: Champions excel in this type of pass, differentiating themselves from relegated teams and mid-table teams.
- Completed passes on support movement: Champions completed more support passes than relegated teams and mid-table teams.
- Completed passes on inside movement: While Champions have the highest volume, surprisingly, relegated teams surpass Europa teams in this type of pass, suggesting they play in congested areas without progressing effectively.
- Completed passes on wide movement: No significant differences were found among groups, indicating that this passing type is not a key performance differentiator.
Tukey Test Results (Comparison Between Groups)
Completed Passes
- Champions Group vs Relegated Teams → Champions completed significantly more passes.
- Champions Group vs Europa Group → Also outperform Europa teams.
- Champions Group vs Mid-Table Teams → Higher passing volume compared to these teams.
Completed Passes on Movement Behind the Defensive Line
- Champions Group vs Relegated Teams → Champions completed more passes behind the defensive line.
- Champions Group vs Mid-Table Teams → Significant difference in favor of Champions.
Completed Passes on Support Movement
- Champions Group vs Relegated Teams → Champions stand out in this type of pass.
- Champions Group vs Mid-Table Teams → Also show a clear difference.
Completed Passes on Inside Movement
- Champions Group vs Relegated Teams → Champions have a higher volume.
- Relegated Teams vs Europa Group → Relegated teams surpass Europa teams, indicating play in tight spaces without progression.
Completed Passes on Wide Movement
- No significant differences were found between groups, indicating that this passing type is not a key performance factor.
Conclusions
- Teams in the Champions Group excel in all passing categories analyzed, particularly total completed passes, passes behind the defensive line, and support passes.
- Relegated teams have a high frequency of inside passes, suggesting they play in congested areas without achieving depth.
- Wide passes do not represent a significant differentiating factor between groups, so relying on this type of pass does not guarantee better results.
- Champions teams not only move the ball more but do so in key areas of the pitch, successfully breaking defensive lines more effectively.
Key Findings and Their Application to Training
We analyzed four key passing types and how they relate to team performance. The highest-ranked teams (Champions Group) stand out in both the quantity and quality of passes they complete in specific game situations. Here’s how you can apply these insights:
1. Total Completed Passes: A Key Indicator
- Higher-ranked teams complete significantly more passes than relegated teams. The correlation between total completed passes and points in the standings is 0.77, indicating a strong positive relationship between passing volume and success in competition.
- Application: Design exercises that encourage rapid ball circulation and movement to generate passing lanes. Rondo drills with transitions can help improve fluidity in build-up play.
Top 5 teams in completed passes:
1st REAL MADRID
2nd FC BARCELONA
3rd UD LAS PALMAS
4th GIRONA FC
5th ATLETICO DE MADRID
Top 5 players in completed passes:
1st KIRIAN (UD LAS PALMAS)
2nd ALEIX GARCIA (GIRONA FC)
3rd KOUNDE (FC BARCELONA)
4th BLIND (GIRONA FC)
5th KROOS (REAL MADRID)
2. Completed Passes on Movement Behind the Defensive Line: Key in Attack
- This passing type has a correlation of 0.69 with points in the standings, indicating that top-performing teams use this resource more than relegated teams.
- Application: Train tactical sessions to identify spaces behind the defensive line. Practice runs by forwards and attacking midfielders to receive passes in advantageous positions.
Top 5 teams in completed passes behind the defensive line:
1st FC BARCELONA
2nd REAL MADRID
3rd GIRONA FC
4th REAL BETIS
5th ATLETICO DE MADRID
Top 5 players in completed passes behind the defensive line:
1st SAVIO (GIRONA FC)
2nd WILLIAMS (ATHLETIC CLUB)
3rd VINI JR (REAL MADRID)
4th ALVARO (RAYO VALLECANO)
5th STRAND LARSEN (RC CELTA)
3. Completed Passes on Support Movement: Control and Security
- Support passes are essential for high-level teams, allowing them to maintain possession and prepare structured attacks. The correlation between support passes and points in the standings is 0.65, suggesting these passes play a crucial role in the stability of elite teams’ gameplay.
- Application: Incorporate exercises where a support pass is required before attempting a direct attacking action. This enhances quick decision-making and the creation of passing triangles.
Top 5 teams in completed passes on support movement:
1st REAL SOCIEDAD
2nd GIRONA FC
3rd REAL MADRID
4th FC BARCELONA
5th REAL BETIS
Top 5 players in completed passes on support movement:
1st IVAN MARTIN (GIRONA FC)
2nd ALEIX GARCIA (GIRONA FC)
3rd MIGUEL (GIRONA FC)
4th MERINO (REAL SOCIEDAD)
5th VINI JR (REAL MADRID)
4. Completed Passes on Inside Movement: Risk or Opportunity?
- Interestingly, relegated teams completed more inside passes than some Europa-level teams. However, the correlation of this pass type with points is 0.59, indicating that while it can be useful, excessive use without proper progression may be counterproductive.
- Application: Evaluate when and where to use inside passes. Encouraging midfielders to turn and look for wider options can generate more space and avoid central congestion.
Top 5 teams in completed passes on inside movement:
1st REAL BETIS
2nd UD LAS PALMAS
3rd REAL MADRID
4th GIRONA FC
5th ATLETICO DE MADRID
Top 5 players in completed passes on inside movement:
1st S CARDONA (UD LAS PALMAS)
2nd MIGUEL (GIRONA FC)
3rd HTRAORE (REAL SOCIEDAD)
4th DANI RODRIGUEZ (RCD MALLORCA)
5th BELLINGHAM (REAL MADRID)
5. Completed Passes on Wide Movement: Not a Key Differentiator
- No significant differences were found among groups regarding wide passes. The correlation between wide passes and points is 0.50, the lowest among all passing types analyzed, suggesting that this resource is not a primary factor in team success.
- Application: While crosses are crucial in specific contexts, relying exclusively on lateral passes does not guarantee better results. It is advisable to combine them with other progression mechanisms.
Top 5 teams in completed passes on wide movement:
1st REAL MADRID
2nd SEVILLA FC
3rd ATHLETIC CLUB
4th REAL BETIS
5th CA OSASUNA
Top 5 players in completed passes on wide movement:
1st J NAVAS (SEVILLA FC)
2nd JUANLU (SEVILLA FC)
3rd MIRANDA (REAL BETIS)
4th DE MARCOS (ATHLETIC CLUB)
5th S CARDONA (UD LAS PALMAS)