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Evaluation of the Technical Performance of Football Players in the UEFA Champions League

Author

Listed:
  • Qing Yi

    (School of Physical Education and Sport Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
    Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
    Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
    Institute of Training and Computer Science in Sport, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany)

  • Miguel-Ángel Gómez-Ruano

    (Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Hongyou Liu

    (School of Physical Education & Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Shaoliang Zhang

    (Division of Sport Science & Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Binghong Gao

    (School of Physical Education and Sport Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
    Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China)

  • Fabian Wunderlich

    (Institute of Training and Computer Science in Sport, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany)

  • Daniel Memmert

    (Institute of Training and Computer Science in Sport, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany)

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the technical match performance of top-class football players in a long-term perspective. Technical performance profiles of players according to five playing positions (central defender, full back, wide midfielder, central midfielder, forward) and five situational variables (competition stage, match location, quality of team, quality of opponent, match outcome) were established. Technical match data of players in the UEFA Champions League from season 2009–2010 to 2016–2017 were analyzed. The true effects of positional and situational variables on players’ technical performance were evaluated by the non-clinical magnitude-based inference. Results showed that the effect of competition stage on player’s performance was negligible. Quality of team , quality of opponent and match outcome revealed the strongest effects on player’s performance (ES: −0.42 ± 0.10–0.59 ± 0.10) while the effect of match location was relatively lower (ES: −0.32 ± 0.10–0.23 ± 0.07). The number of variables that showed statistical differences under five competing contexts for wide midfielders and forwards were higher than those of central defenders, full backs, and central midfielders. Differences of players’ match performance could mainly be identified in variables related to goal scoring, passing, and organizing, these findings may provide important insights for coaches and analysts during the match preparation and training session.

Suggested Citation

  • Qing Yi & Miguel-Ángel Gómez-Ruano & Hongyou Liu & Shaoliang Zhang & Binghong Gao & Fabian Wunderlich & Daniel Memmert, 2020. "Evaluation of the Technical Performance of Football Players in the UEFA Champions League," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:2:p:604-:d:310045
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hongyou Liu & Will Hopkins & A. Miguel Gómez & S. Javier Molinuevo, 2013. "Inter-operator reliability of live football match statistics from OPTA Sportsdata," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(3), pages 803-821, December.
    2. Shaoliang Zhang & Alberto Lorenzo & Miguel-Angel Gómez & Hongyou Liu & Bruno Gonçalves & Jaime Sampaio, 2017. "Players’ technical and physical performance profiles and game-to-game variation in NBA," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(4), pages 466-483, July.
    3. Qing Yi & Hong Jia & Hongyou Liu & Miguel Ángel Gómez, 2018. "Technical demands of different playing positions in the UEFA Champions League," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(6), pages 926-937, November.
    4. Andrew Butterworth & Peter O’Donoghue & Brendan Cropley, 2013. "Performance profiling in sports coaching: a review," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(3), pages 572-593, December.
    5. Hongyou Liu & Qing Yi & Jesús-Vicente Giménez & Miguel-Angel Gómez & Carlos Lago-Peñas, 2015. "Performance profiles of football teams in the UEFA Champions League considering situational efficiency," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(1), pages 371-390, March.
    6. repec:taf:rpanxx:v:1:y:2001:i:1:p:1-26 is not listed on IDEAS
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