The Beautiful Game: How Data Visualization Can Change Football On and Off the Field

Visually analysing direct set pieces in football using StatsBomb Data, R, and Tableau

May 21 2008. Moscow. Rain is pouring in the Luzhniki Stadium as John Terry steps up to take the penalty that will win the Champions League for the first time in Chelsea’s history.

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That fateful night in Moscow is best remembered for the rain- and tear-streaked face of the Chelsea captain as Manchester United players wheel away in delight after winning the coveted European trophy. Less well remembered was the close friend and advisor of Chelsea manager Avram Grant: Spanish Professor Ignacio Palacios Huerta.

Huerta, dubbed “the penalty doctor” for his work on linking economic game theory to penalty kicks, provided some invaluable information to the Chelsea manager before the game. Firstly, he observed that United Goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar had historically displayed a strong tendency to dive to his right. Secondly…