Defensive performance variables and their effect on team success within elite

Abstract

This study compares the defensive performance of the most successful and least successful teams within the Euro 2012 football competition. 20 matches were analysed, 3 matches from the perspective of each of the 4 'successful' and 4 'unsuccessful' teams. The performance analysis software Studiocode was used to execute the match analysis. The data were broken down into 11 defensive performance variables. Some variables were quantified as a percentage of successful outcomes from the variables and some were quantified as frequencies. Independent t-tests were employed to determine whether significant differences (p<0.05) existed between 'successful' and 'unsuccessful' teams. The analysis further addressed any differences existing between varying match outcomes (win/draw/loss). It was concluded that 'successful and unsuccessful' teams demonstrated significantly different frequencies or percentages of 5 of the 11 variables. 'Successful' teams performed higher success percentages in clearances (32±4.6) (p<0.05) and overall open defensive situations (95±2.2) (p<0.05). 'Successful' teams spent less time defending (29±4.5) (P<0.05), achieved more interceptions (12±2.3) (p<0.05) and conceded fewer corners (4±1.3) (p<0.05). The only significant difference found between varying match outcomes was that games drawn, recorded higher success rates of overall defensive situations than games that were lost or won (p<0.05). No other variable was found to significantly differ in this analysis.