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 5
Valencia CF
Real Madrid
SUN 19.09.2021
19:00
Season 2021/2022
Camp de Mestalla
Real Sociedad
Sevilla FC
SUN 19.09.2021
14:15
Season 2021/2022
Anoeta
Atlético de Madrid
Athletic Club
SAT 18.09.2021
14:15
Season 2021/2022
Riyadh Air Metropolitano
Deportivo Alavés
CA Osasuna
SAT 18.09.2021
19:00
Season 2021/2022
Mendizorroza
Deportivo Alavés
CA Osasuna
SAT 18.09.2021
19:00
Season 2021/2022
Matchday 5
Mendizorroza
Deportivo Alaves take the direct route
The Mendizorroza-based outfit hold first place in distance gained with passes, showing that their players are intent on taking the direct route in search of the opponents' goal. They are also the team with the most possessions gained in aerial duels, further exemplifying their no-nonsense approach, looking for the head of Joselu with most of their long passes. Furthermore, they are the second team in LaLiga Santander in changes of the direction of play, attempting to destabilise their opponents and catch out defenders with long, searching passes.
Osasuna retain their essence: a high line and pres
The Navarre side generate a high volume of attacking play through long passes, seeking to place their block in the opposing half and press and steal the ball high up the pitch. This is why Osasuna are one of the three teams that performs the most double pressure passes, that is, sequences when the passer and the receiver are both under pressure. In fact, they are the LaLiga Santander team with the greatest number of successful long passes, and the one with the most crosses put in.
PLAYER FOCUS
A key member of the Navarre-based XI
The CA Osasuna midfielder has become a key member of the team matchday after matchday: his ability to cover ground and win tackles are a fundamental part of Jagoba Arrasate's game plan. His excellent performance levels are reflected by stats that reveal him as being one of the players who has made the most double pressure passes this season, getting involved in attacking moves in which he tends to be under pressure from his opponents. This video shows Lucas Torro receiving the ball under pressure and how he manages to move it out wide in search of a crossing opportunity.




