The influence of physical performance on technical and tactical outcomes in the UEFA Champions League

Toni Modric; James J Malone; Sime Versic; Marcin Andrzejewski; Paweł Chmura; Marek Konefał; Patrik Drid; Damir Sekulic

doi:10.1186/s13102-022-00573-4

The influence of physical performance on technical and tactical outcomes in the UEFA Champions League

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2022 Oct 10;14(1):179. doi: 10.1186/s13102-022-00573-4.

Authors

Toni Modric¹, James J Malone², Sime Versic³, Marcin Andrzejewski⁴, Paweł Chmura⁵, Marek Konefał⁶, Patrik Drid⁷, Damir Sekulic³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split, Croatia. toni.modric@yahoo.com.
² School of Health and Sport Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, UK.
³ Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Split, Croatia.
⁴ Department of Methodology of Recreation, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland.
⁵ Department of Team Games, Wrocław University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.
⁶ Department of Human Motor Skills, Wrocław University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.
⁷ Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.

Abstract

Background: To clarify does physical performance affect success in highest-level soccer, the purpose of the present study was to identify differences in technical-tactical performance (TP) between teams covering high and low running performance (RP) during the UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches.

Methods: The RP and TP data were collected from UCL group stage matches in the 2020/21 season. RP variables included total distance covered (TD), high intensity running (HIR), total distance when in ball possession (TDB), and high intensity running when in ball possession (HIRB). TP variables included goal chances, shots, shots on target, passes, accurate passes, key passes, key passes accurate, crosses, crosses accurate, counter attacks, counter attacks with a shot, high pressing, high pressing successful, low pressing, low pressing successful, tackles, tackles successful, entrances to the opponent's box, total actions, and successful actions. K-means cluster analysis method was used to classify teams covering (i) low and high TD, (ii) low and high HIR, (iii) low and high TDB, (iv) low and high and HIRB. Linear mixed models were used to identify differences in teams' TP according to their RP. Pearson's correlations were used to establish direct association between team TP and RP.

Results: Similar TP were observed whether teams covering high or low TD/HIR. Teams covering greater TDB/HIRB had more goal chances, shots, shots on target, passes, accurate passes, key passes, accurate key passes, crosses, successful high pressing, entrances to the opponent's box, total actions, and successful actions were observed (all moderate to very large effect sizes. Significant association between specific TP variables and TDB/HIRB were evidenced (Pearson's r = 0.35-0.96, all p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Covering greater TDB and HIRB may allow more frequent execution of fundamental TP which are considered essential for match success, indicating that RP when team has ball in possession is important determinant of success in highest-level soccer. This study shows that physical performance affect success in highest-level soccer.

Keywords: Football; Linear mixed model; Running performance; Success; Technical-tactical performance.

Grants and funding

DOK-2020-01-9298/Hrvatska Zaklada za Znanost