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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.
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.
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).
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).
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.
Athletic Club
Granada CF
VIE 26.11.2021
20:00
Season 2021/2022
Estadio San Mamés
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona
Real Sociedad
DOM 28.11.2021
15:15
Season 2021/2022
RCDE Stadium
Cádiz CF
Atlético de Madrid
DOM 28.11.2021
17:30
Season 2021/2022
Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla
Real Madrid
Sevilla FC
DOM 28.11.2021
20:00
Season 2021/2022
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
Cádiz CF
Atlético de Madrid
DOM 28.11.2021
17:30
Season 2021/2022
Matchday 15
Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla
Cadiz CF offer a prime example of what route one football is all about. The Andalusians lie in second position for the number of passes played in behind and sit in fourth spot for the number of long balls played.
As for their on-pitch positioning, the Amarillos also have very well-defined characteristics. They operate with a very low block and defend close to their own goal. They’re amongst the top five teams in LaLiga for width and depth and record the lowest distance between their goalline and backline. Meanwhile, Alvaro Cervera’s charges record the lowest possession statistics in the league and register the most possession in their own half.
In contrast, Atletico Madrid are the side to make the most changes in direction and this sees the Madrilenians excel in a number of other positional metrics, with Diego Simeone’s recruits amongst the top five teams for game initiative, possession build-up and ball circulation speed, whilst long passes account for just 14% of their total passes. These statistics couldn’t be any different to the side they’ll meet in the forthcoming matchday.
Cadiz know exactly what they’re all about and are fully aware that they don’t need to put together long possessions to carry out Cervera’s game plan. They lie top of the LaLiga tree for the length of passes, whilst also leading the way in terms of the distance gained per possession. The Costa de la Luz outfit occupy sixth spot for the number of sprints made at over 28km/hr and are the side to travel the furthest per carry.
Meanwhile, Atleti lie in fifth for the average number of players involved in their possessions, which reflects the team’s intricate build-up play. In addition, El Cholo’s boys feature amongst the top five teams for the number of players involved in the press after giving the ball away. These statistics serve to illustrate the commitment levels of the Rojiblancos’ players in attack and defence.
There are a number of hallmarks to Cadiz’s game and the team needs the players who can play to the system.
Pacha is, without doubt, one of the Andalusians’ standout performers in a philosophy that aims to get the most out of very low possession statistics. The Uruguayan defender excels in long passes (top five in the league), shots that result in a goal (top 15), recoveries (top 21) and opponents beaten per passes.
These impressive numbers are a real shot in the arm for Cervera’s charges.