Why Tableau for Sports Data?

Tableau’s intuitive interface and powerful visualization tools make it an excellent choice for analyzing complex data sets. For students, Tableau offers free access, while others can use Tableau Public, a free version with some limitations. Both versions are perfect for learning and sharing visualizations.

The Data Set: Champions League Finals

For this project, I used a data set provided by StatsBomb, which includes information on the last 10 Champions League finals. If football isn’t your sport, there are plenty of other data sets to explore, such as those available on the Sports Vis Sunday website.

Getting Started with Tableau

1. Connecting Your Data

The first step in Tableau is connecting to your data source. In this case, I used an Excel file containing Champions League data. Tableau connects to the file rather than loading the data directly, so any updates to the file automatically reflect in your Tableau report.

2. Exploring Tableau’s Interface

Tableau’s interface is designed for drag-and-drop functionality. By dragging fields like “Type Name” (e.g., Pass, Shot) and “Team Name” onto rows and columns, I created a simple table summarizing team events.

Key Concepts:

• Blue Pills: Represent text and date fields.
• Green Pills: Represent numeric fields.

3. Creating Visualizations

Next, I created a bar chart visualizing player events. By adding color to differentiate teams and sorting the bars, the visualization became more insightful and easier to interpret.

4. Building Dashboards

Combining visualizations into a dashboard elevates the analysis experience. I integrated the summary table and bar chart into an interactive dashboard. With this setup, clicking an element in one table updates the other, enabling dynamic filtering.

5. Expanding the Data Set

To broaden the analysis, I added data from another Champions League final (2018) using Tableau’s “Union” feature. This allowed me to stack multiple files and create a dashboard capable of filtering by match date, enabling a multi-game analysis.

Final Thoughts

This project highlights Tableau’s potential for sports data analysis, offering both accessibility and depth. Whether you’re tracking football stats or exploring other sports, Tableau empowers you to uncover valuable insights.

I’m excited to continue this journey and share more tutorials in this series. If you have specific questions or topics you’d like me to cover, feel free to reach out. Together, let’s make sense of the numbers behind the game!

Liverpool and Nottingham Forest played out a very intense 1–1 game, but what stood out to me among other things was Neco Williams, a primarily right-footed player, playing at left-back (LB).

It is possible that Neco Williams is starting ahead of a more ‘natural’ LB like Álex Moreno due to being a better defender, making him a better fit for a team like Forest, which has kept an impressive 9 clean sheets this season.

But it got me thinking, especially when watching him defend 1v1. Whenever Salah cut in on his preferred left foot, it seemed to play into the hands of Neco Williams. His right foot allowed him to shut down gaps more effectively or attempt to win the ball back without overcommitting. In the second half, Salah adjusted by faking a cut inside and playing Szoboszlai and Jota through on two separate occasions, with his weaker right foot, both of which led to a shot on target and a corner. This tactical nuance highlights the potential advantages of using inverted fullbacks.

Defensive Stability Meets Attacking Variety

In attack, this role has a lot of upsides too. If you’ve observed Cody Gakpo’s playing style for Liverpool, he often cuts inside from the left and either takes a shot or delivers well-weighted inswinging crosses to the far post. The same concept can be applied to an inverted fullback. By cutting inside, they become a more significant attacking threat, creating opportunities with inswinging crosses or incisive through balls.

For teams that thrive on creating chances from the byline with low-driven crosses, the use of an inverted fullback paired with a conventional fullback on the opposite flank could add variety and unpredictability to their attack. This diversity in approach could be a game-changer, particularly against well-organized defensive setups.

The Ideal Profile for an Inverted Fullback

The ideal candidate for this role would be a two-footed player or someone with a very strong weak foot. Such a profile would maximize their attacking contributions while maintaining defensive solidity when out of position. For instance, someone like Ferdi Kadioglu from Brighton, with his technical ability and versatility, could excel in this role if given the opportunity in a Premier League game.

Inverted fullbacks are not just a tactical trend but a potential evolution in modern football, offering teams a new way to exploit spaces and create chances. It’s an exciting development to watch, and I, for one, am eager to see how teams and managers adapt to this dynamic approach!

1. The “MSN” Approach: Leaving Attackers Upfront

The famed Barcelona front three, “MSN” (Messi, Suárez, Neymar), employed a unique strategy during corners conceded. All three attackers stayed near the halfway line, forcing the opposition to pull three defenders out of the box. This reduced the number of players available for attacking the corner while positioning the trio for a rapid counter-attack.

AS Monaco recently implemented a similar tactic against Arsenal in a UEFA Champions League match. By placing three players near the halfway line, they effectively neutralized Arsenal’s set-piece threat, simultaneously creating an opportunity for a swift breakaway.

Risk vs Reward

While this strategy disrupts the attacking team’s numerical advantage, it requires confidence in the defensive unit to handle the remaining threats in the box. Additionally, it opens the potential for devastating counters should possession be regained.

2. The Offside Trap: Rushing Out of Position

Another ploy comes from Barcelona’s 2016 clash against PSG. The team would intentionally rush out of their initial positions after a set-piece delivery, aiming to play the opposition offside. This aggressive tactic helped mitigate dangerous situations by catching attackers out of position.

Applicability Against Arsenal

While this approach could be an effective surprise element, it carries inherent risks. Arsenal could counter by playing a short free kick, bypassing the offside trap and creating a direct scoring opportunity. Thus, this tactic is best used sparingly, as a one-off strategy to unsettle Arsenal’s plans.

3. Moving the Goalkeeper: Inspired by FIFA (EA FC)

A creative approach inspired by the football simulation game FIFA (now EA FC) involves positioning the goalkeeper closer to the six-yard box during corners. This adjustment enables the goalkeeper to catch incoming crosses more easily, nullifying the threat at its source.

Why This Could Work Against Arsenal

1. Predictable Delivery Style: Arsenal’s reliance on inswinging crosses, typically delivered by Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, provides a level of predictability. A well-positioned goalkeeper can anticipate these deliveries and intercept effectively.
2. Low Probability of Direct Goals: Scoring directly from a corner remains statistically rare. Arsenal’s set-piece team is unlikely to waste their most potent opportunities attempting direct goals, making the risk of this strategy relatively low. Even if an attempt is made, the goalkeeper and defenders can remain vigilant to counter it.

Challenges

Positioning the goalkeeper aggressively requires coordination with the defense to cover potential rebounds or second balls. However, it offers the advantage of proactively eliminating the primary threat.

Balancing Risk and Reward

All these strategies carry a balance of risk and reward. Against a potent Arsenal team, it may be more effective to adopt proactive tactics to neutralize the threat at its source rather than playing conservatively. Choosing the right moment to deploy these approaches can make the difference between conceding and turning defense into attack.

Football is a captivating sport filled with intricate tactics, intelligent movement, and strategic playmaking. For newcomers, however, the game can seem like a puzzle with its own unique language. This guide aims to demystify some key tactical terms, providing a deeper understanding of the modern game. Let’s dive into these concepts together!

Analyzing the Game in Phases

Breaking the game into sections — build-up, middle third, and final third — can help structure observations and make sense of how various tactics unfold throughout a match.

Build-Up Phase

Diagonal Inside Pass
This pass involves moving the ball from wide areas toward the center, bypassing the opponent’s initial line of pressure, and disrupting their defensive structure. It’s an effective way to progress play and exploit spaces in the defense.

Advantages of Diagonal Passes
Diagonal passes are more efficient than straight ones for several reasons:

• They penetrate defensive lines and facilitate forward movement.
• They provide better angles for the receiver to turn and face the goal.
• Their unpredictable trajectory makes interception harder, opening opportunities for attackers.

#6 in the Pocket
The #6, or defensive midfielder, plays a crucial role in controlling the game from deep areas. By positioning themselves in pockets of space, they make themselves available to receive the ball and link defense to attack.

Example:
A center-back plays a pass to the #6, who is positioned away from opponents in a pocket of space. The #6 then connects play to the midfield, bypassing the opposition’s pressing forwards.

Full-Backs Adding Height
Full-backs don’t just create width; they also push high up the pitch, adding vertical pressure. This forces the opponent’s defense to retreat, creating space in midfield for their teammates. Think of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold or Andy Robertson as prime examples of this strategy.

Middle Third

Staggering the Second Line of Pressure
Staggering refers to midfielders positioning themselves in a zig-zag pattern to block central passing lanes while defending. This prevents the opponent from playing through the center and directs them to less threatening wide areas. Atletico Madrid’s disciplined midfield exemplifies this tactic.

Directional Play
When the game becomes directional, both teams adopt a direct approach, moving the ball vertically toward the goal. This often occurs during counterattacks, where speed and precision exploit defensive gaps. Leicester City under Brendan Rodgers exemplifies this style with their rapid counterattacks.

Final Third

Seam Runs
A seam run is an off-the-ball movement into gaps between defenders. This intelligent positioning creates opportunities to receive the ball in dangerous areas. Players like Erling Haaland excel at timing these runs to perfection.

Slipping Behind the Lines
This involves a player making a stealthy run behind the defense or midfield line to create a goal-scoring opportunity. Mohamed Salah’s ability to time his movements to get behind the defensive line is a great example of this tactic.

Set/Bump Passes
A set or bump is a quick, short pass used in tight spaces to maintain possession and link play. For instance, a striker under pressure might make a quick lay-off to an onrushing midfielder to set up a shot.

Appreciating the Tactical Nuances

Football is as much about subtle movements and clever positioning as it is about scoring goals. By learning these concepts, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the game’s strategic intricacies.

The next time you watch a match, look out for a diagonal pass splitting the defense, a #6 creating connections, or a winger making a decisive seam run. Understanding these actions will deepen your enjoyment of the beautiful game.

The Importance of Pitch Zones

The football pitch presents endless strategic opportunities, but without a clear structure, these can turn chaotic. Implementing pitch zones helps teams:

1. Enhance Positional Awareness
   Players understand their optimal positioning at any moment.
2. Simplify Tactical Instructions
   Coaches can convey strategies more precisely.
3. Improve Passing Options
   Well-placed spacing facilitates dynamic playmaking.
4. Adapt to Opponents
   Teams can counter specific threats with tailored responses.

Universal Zones: The Foundation

A fundamental approach divides the pitch into four horizontal zones, each representing a key phase of play:

1. Build: Involves starting from the back, typically with defenders, the goalkeeper, and a pivot.
2. Progress: Transitioning past the first line of opposition pressure.
3. Penetrate: Exploiting defensive gaps to gain an advantage.
4. Finish: Generating goal-scoring opportunities in the attacking third.

This basic segmentation supports smooth transitions between phases, such as drawing defenders forward in the build-up to create space in midfield.

Vertical Zones: Maximizing Width

To ensure efficient use of width, the pitch is divided into five vertical lanes:

1. Wings: The left and right flanks.
2. Half Spaces: Positioned between the wings and the central lane.
3. Center: The middle of the pitch.

The half spaces are particularly significant as they are challenging for defenders to control, creating opportunities for vertical passes, crosses, or intricate plays. Proper use of these zones ensures spacing and prevents overcrowding.

The 18-Zone System: A Comprehensive Framework

A widely adopted method divides the pitch into six horizontal and three vertical zones, forming 18 distinct areas. This detailed structure enhances tactical clarity and precision in positioning.

Key Principles:

• Staggered Positioning: Players distribute themselves across zones to avoid crowding.
• Zone 14 (The Hull): Centrally located just outside the penalty box, this area is crucial for creative plays like key passes or shots.
• Maximum Occupancy: To avoid congestion, teams usually limit two players per zone.

This framework helps managers exploit defensive vulnerabilities, whether in wide areas or central positions.

Positional Play and Half Spaces: Advanced Tactics

Inspired by visionary coaches like Pep Guardiola, this advanced method divides the pitch into four horizontal and five vertical zones with even finer subdivisions. The focus is on positional play, where players maintain a structured layout to optimize passing and space usage.

Key Elements:

1. Staggered Lines: Players avoid occupying the same horizontal or vertical zones, enhancing spatial efficiency.
2. Dynamic Adjustments: Fullbacks may transition into midfield or defensive lines based on the phase of play.
3. Exploiting Half Spaces: These zones are tactically potent, forcing defenders into difficult decisions — e.g., covering a player in the half space may leave a winger or center-back unchecked.

This approach is particularly effective against compact defenses, enabling teams to break opposition lines and disrupt their shape.

Conclusion

The use of pitch zones has transformed football tactics, from the simplicity of four horizontal blocks to the intricacies of positional play. These systems enhance spacing, structure, and flexibility, enabling teams to execute strategies more effectively. As football evolves, new zoning methodologies may emerge, allowing teams to exploit opponents’ weaknesses further.

Mastering pitch zoning is vital for success in modern football, and its ongoing innovation promises to shape the sport’s future.

1. Cover Shadow: Blocking Passing Lanes without Direct Contact

What is Cover Shadow?

Cover shadow is a technique where a pressing player uses their positioning to block passing lanes without physically marking the opponent. By positioning themselves at an angle, they create a “shadow” over certain areas behind them, cutting off the ball carrier’s options to move the ball forward or pass to specific teammates.

How Does It Work?

Imagine a central midfielder stepping up to press an opposing center-back with the ball. By positioning themselves strategically, the midfielder’s cover shadow blocks off a passing lane to a nearby midfielder, forcing the center-back to play the ball wide or back. This allows the pressing team to dictate the direction of play and set up further pressing traps.

Tactical Impact

Cover shadow is a vital component of high-pressing systems, allowing players to restrict multiple passing options simultaneously. With effective positioning, a single player can block off passing lanes to several opponents, conserving energy while guiding the ball carrier into less advantageous areas.

2. Reverse Pressure: Surprising the Ball Carrier from Behind

What is Reverse Pressure?

Reverse pressure is applied when a player pressures the opponent with the ball from behind or a less-expected angle. This type of pressure often catches the ball carrier by surprise, forcing them to make hurried decisions and increasing the chances of a mistake.

How Does It Work?

For example, let’s say an opposing center-back has the ball and is moving toward the sideline. The pressing team’s striker, instead of approaching from the front, circles around and applies pressure from behind as the center-back receives the ball. This reverse pressure disrupts the center-back’s focus and forces a rushed pass or clearance.

3. Blind Alley: Creating No-Win Situations for the Ball Carrier

What is a Blind Alley?

A blind alley is a situation in which a player is funneled into a part of the pitch with limited or no viable options to progress. Typically occurring near the sidelines or in tightly defended areas, the player finds themselves isolated with little space to pass or dribble, effectively trapping them.

How Does It Work?

A pressing team might use coordinated movements to steer the opponent into a blind alley. As a result of the cover shadow and reverse pressure, the center-back is forced wide and ends up in a confined area with few passing options. Surrounded by defenders, they have no choice but to make a risky pass, clear the ball, or lose possession.

Conclusion

Understanding cover shadow, reverse pressure, and blind alley provides insight into the complex and strategic elements of football’s defensive tactics. These terms reveal how effective pressing is not just about running toward the ball but involves calculated positioning and teamwork. By mastering these concepts, teams can control space, isolate opponents, and create turnovers, adding a new layer of depth to the art of defending.

1. Bournemouth’s short corner routine

2. Brentford’s Match-Winning Goal

The match ended 3–2 and Thomas Frank and his staff were rightly pleased with this team goal.

Ferdi Kadioglu was one of Turkey’s standout performers at EURO 2024, impressing with his ability to progress the ball forward while maintaining a strong defensive presence. Brighton manager Hurzeler praised his dribbling, noting, “He has good dribbling, makes good runs in half-spaces. He gives us flexibility.” In this blog, we focus on his dribbling and defensive contributions.

1. Dribbling: Exploiting Space

Kadioglu’s dribbling was on full display during Turkey’s last-16 victory over Austria. In one notable instance, he shifted the ball from his left to his right foot, evading Posch’s challenge with a burst of pace down the wing (indicated by green triangle). His ability to carry the ball forward like a winger was crucial in driving Turkey’s attack forward.

Defensive Capabilities

Kadioglu’s defensive performance in the quarterfinal against the Netherlands showed his ability to read the game and win crucial tackles. He made key defensive interventions, ensuring that Turkey could remain competitive against a strong Dutch side. As Hurzeler said in an interview with The Athletic: “He does a lot of running. You saw that in the Euros, he never gives up. He is a fighter.”

Conclusion

Kadioglu’s combination of dribbling skill and defensive intelligence makes him an exciting prospect for Brighton. As Hurzeler pointed out, his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively makes him a valuable player for the team moving forward.

Shot Map

This shot map shows where both teams took their attempts on goal. The size of each circle reflects the quality of the chance: larger circles indicate higher-percentage chances, while smaller circles represent lower-quality shots.

• On the left, we see Sweden’s attempts, with Kosovare Asllani and Eva Sofia Jakobsson taking several shots inside the penalty area.

• On the right, England’s shots are represented, with Francesca Kirby having a notable attempt from close range.

Pass Map: Lucy Bronze

This pass map illustrates Lucy Bronze’s distribution throughout the match:

• The arrows show the direction and length of her passes, with many originating from the right flank.

• The map shows her involvement in advancing play, with several forward passes into the opposition half and into the penalty area.

These maps provide a clear view of where shots were taken and how a key player like Lucy Bronze contributed to the overall passing game.

What is the Poisson Distribution?

David Sumpter explains that a Poisson distribution arises when the timing of previous events has no effect on future events — just as a goal is equally likely to occur at any time during the match. Based on the average number of goals (λ), the Poisson model estimates how many goals will be scored in a match.

Analyzing the Premier League 2023/24 Season

I applied this model to data from the 2023/24 Premier League season. Below is a comparison between the actual distribution of goals per match and the theoretical Poisson distribution:

How Well Does Poisson Fit?

The Poisson distribution fits well for matches with 2 to 3 goals, which are the most frequent outcomes. However, it slightly underestimates the likelihood of extreme results, such as goalless draws or high-scoring matches (5+ goals). Despite these outliers, the model captures the overall distribution effectively.

Why This Matters

Understanding patterns like these helps analysts, bettors, and coaches make informed decisions. Sumpter shows that football is not entirely random; it follows mathematical rules that can help predict match outcomes.

Conclusion

The Poisson distribution provides a simple yet effective way to model football matches, showing that goals tend to follow a predictable pattern. Despite the game’s chaos, mathematics brings a level of predictability to the sport.