Determination of Important Game-Related Statistics in the UEFA Champions League: A 5-year follow-up

Abstract

The research aimed to examine the effect of important game-related statistics on the success of the teams that made it to the knockout stages of the Champions League for 5 years (between 2015-2016 and 2019-2020 seasons). In the research, 139 matches of 35 teams that took part in the top 16 rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final tours of UEFA Champions League competitions were examined. The teams were divided into two groups the teams that qualified and the teams that were eliminated. Independent samples t-test was used to compare the in-game variables of the teams that passed the round and were eliminated. Linear discriminant analysis was used to determine important in-game variables between teams. The results of this research show that the number of statistical data related to the game between the teams that passed the round and the eliminated teams differed or decreased as they progressed from the round of 16 to the final. (Last of 16: goals scored, ball possession (%), duels won (%), passes, shots, number of shots on target, shots outside the penalty area, shots inside the penalty area, tackle, and red cards; Quarter-final round: shots on target; Semi-finals: aerial won (%), duels won (%), attacking sides rates (%)). In the study, it was found that only the goals scored and conceded in the last 16 and quarter-finals in the knockout stages had distinctive power, but no distinguishing variable was found in the semi-final and final stages. Therefore, the Champions League is one of the most followed organizations by football coaches and professionals. The tactical approaches of the teams that are successful in this tournament should be followed by football coaches at all levels and it is recommended to include variables that ensure success in training and matches.

Keywords

• Football
• Competition analysis
• Game-related statistics
• UEFA Champions League.

UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi Müsabakalarındaki Önemli Oyun İlişkili İstatistiklerin Belirlenmesi: 5 Yıllık Bir İnceleme

Abstract

Bu araştırmada, 5 yıl boyunca (2015-2016 ve 2019-2020 sezonları arasında) Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde eleme turlarına çıkan takımların maçlarla ilgili önemli istatistiklerinin takımların başarısına etkisinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada, UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi müsabakalarının ilk 16 turu, çeyrek final, yarı final ve final turunda yer alan 35 takımın 139 maçı incelenmiştir. Takımlar, galip ve mağlup takımlar olmak üzere iki gruba ayrılmıştır. Turu geçen ve elenen takımların oyun içi değişkenlerini karşılaştırmak için bağımsız örnekler t testi kullanılmıştır. Takımlar arasındaki önemli oyun içi değişkenleri belirlemek için doğrusal diskriminant analizi kullanılmıştır. Bu araştırmanın sonuçları, turu geçen takımlar ile elenen takımlar arasındaki maça ilişkin istatistiksel verilerin sayısının, son 16 turundan finale ilerledikçe farklılık gösterdiğini veya azaldığını göstermektedir (Son 16 için: atılan goller, topa sahip olma (%), ikili mücadele (%), paslar, şutlar, kaleyi bulan şutlar, ceza sahası dışından şutlar, ceza sahası içinden şutlar, top çalma, ve kırmızı kartlar; Çeyrek Final için: kaleyi bulan şutlar; Yarı Final için: hava topu kazanma (%), ikili mücadele (%), kenar hucümları (%)). Araştırmada eleme turlarında sadece son 16 ve çeyrek finalde atılan ve yenilen gollerin ayırt edici güce sahip olduğu ancak yarı final ve final aşamalarında herhangi bir ayırt edici değişkene rastlanmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Bu nedenle futbol antrenörlerinin ve profesyonellerinin en çok takip ettiği organizasyonların başında Şampiyonlar ligi gelmektedir. Bu turnuvada başarılı olan takımların taktiksel yaklaşımları her seviyedeki futbol antrenörleri tarafından takip edilmeli, antrenman ve maçlarda başarıyı sağlayan değişkenlere yer verilmesi önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Futbol
• Müsabaka analizi
• Oyun ilişkili istatistikler
• UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi.

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