Quality recoveries & build-up play that offers guarantees
This video illustrates how recoveries can be distinguished not only in terms of their effectiveness, but also their quality. Barcelona record the fourth-most advantageous recoveries in the league, i.e. situations that involve a numerical advantage and where the side in possession has more players ahead of the ball than the opposition.
Given the importance of build-up play in the system deployed by Xavi’s troops, the team’s set-up at the start of the attacking transition is key. This video shows how the Barcelona players react in these situations. It’s worth pointing out that 15% of the Catalan giants’ recoveries put them at an advantage.

Madrid aim to advance up the pitch & prove their potency
Real Madrid are the LaLiga Santander front runners for the number of carries leading to shots, with four per game to their name. Carries can be analysed from a whole host of angles, but in this case we’re keen to look at their outcome, i.e. shots.
There’s no question that Ancelotti’s charges are capable of making the most of these actions, as illustrated in our Clip of the Week. The players’ ability to go past their man, their skill level and decision-making ability are key to the success of such actions, which can reap rich rewards for the capital club.

Atletico Madrid & their carries leading to shots
As we can see in this clip, Simeone’s boys post an average of two carries that lead to shots per game. Indeed, this is one of Atleti’s favourite tactics to pose a threat on goal. If we dive deeper and take a look at what the Wanda Metropolitano-based outfit do in possession, we learn that they feature amongst the league’s top five teams for the number of players per possession (almost three), whilst they find themselves amongst the division’s leading five teams for the number of dangerous possessions per match (4.6).

Betis & their breathtaking dangerous possessions
When it comes to possession, there are a whole host of aspects that we can analyse, with one of them being the degree of danger created. When we speak of dangerous possessions, we’re referring to those that end in a goal or a goalscoring opportunity. This video features a dangerous possession put together by Manuel Pellegrini’s charges. Betis excel in this department and lie second in the LaLiga standings for the number of dangerous possessions (5.7 per outing).

Dangerous possessions that result in goalscoring chances
The Real Madrid players ensure that their team balance enables them to consistently produce and improve on their statistics as the games goes on. As we can see in the latest instalment of Clip of the Week, the Blancos record more dangerous possessions than any other side in the league (6.76 per game) and, crucially, they make them count.

It’s your Game
Matchday 14
Real Sociedad
Valencia CF
SUN 21.11.2021
20:00
Season 2021/2022
Anoeta
Rayo Vallecano
RCD Mallorca
MON 22.11.2021
20:00
Season 2021/2022
Estadio de Vallecas
Granada CF
Real Madrid
SUN 21.11.2021
15:15
Season 2021/2022
Nuevo Los Cármenes
Atlético de Madrid
CA Osasuna
SAT 20.11.2021
17:30
Season 2021/2022
Riyadh Air Metropolitano
Atlético de Madrid
CA Osasuna
SAT 20.11.2021
17:30
Season 2021/2022
Matchday 14
Riyadh Air Metropolitano
Atletico Madrid are undisputed kings of the press
Atletico Madrid have brought last season’s impressive attacking form into the current campaign. The Madrilenians are showcasing an ability to make regular inroads on the opposition’s goal, as illustrated by the fact that they top the LaLiga Santander standings as the team that finishes their possessions closest to the opposition’s goal. Atleti’s desire to win the ball back high up the pitch certainly contributes in this department and Diego Simeone’s troops feature among the top five teams for pressing after losing the ball. When the Colchoneros get a sight of the opposition’s goal they’re lethal and have landed themselves a top-two berth for shooting efficiency and claim a place on the podium for shooting success percentage.
In the face of such attacking prowess, Osasuna will need to bring all their defensive solidity to the fore. The Navarrans’ aerial game has caught the eye this season and they are the side to win the most aerial duels in the league, whilst also featuring amongst the top three teams when it comes to recoveries. Whenever the El Sadar-based outfit manage to get their noses in front in games, they do a sterling job of closing out spaces. Indeed, they boast one of the three smallest convex hull scores in the top flight when ahead in matches. They are also the side to cover the greatest distance after losing the ball.
Route one football is Osasuna’s trademark
Osasuna continue to remain faithful to their direct approach. The Rojillos demonstrate a clear understanding that their aim is to reach the opposition’s box as quickly as possible. The Navarrans have landed themselves a place on the podium for the number of opposition players passed per pass. This statistic goes a long way to explaining why the Pamplona-based outfit boast the highest percentage of possession in the opposition’s half, a statistic which also wins them a spot on the podium among the teams with the highest pass percentage in the final third. Once they reach the attacking third they continue to play at a high tempo and have posted the most crosses in the whole division.
As for Atleti, they’re once again showing just what a formidable defensive unit they are and are the best team in the league when it comes to preventing the opposition from creating chances, whilst also being the side to receive the fewest shots. They also post the best numbers for percentage of shots successfully blocked.
PLAYER FOCUS
David Garcia is Osasuna’s defensive linchpin
David Garcia is proving to be a key cog in the Osasuna machine. The Rojillos’ stopper lies second in the league charts for the number of aerial duels won and boasts the highest percentage of aerial duels won amongst those who contest the most balls in the air, whilst he has completed the second-most clearances in the division. He is also amongst LaLiga Santander’s top five players for recoveries. However, Garcia’s influence extends beyond his defensive duties and he’s also chipping in at the other end of the pitch. The defender is the team’s joint-leading goalscorer on two goals, alongside Chimy Avila, Roberto Torres and Kike Garcia, all of whom are attacking players. Garcia is also often the starting point of many of the team’s route one play, with his passes passing more opposition players than any of his teammates’.




