Comparison of physical and technical performance in European soccer match‐play: FA Premier League and La Liga

TLDR

The study compared match performance of professional soccer players in Spain’s La Liga and England’s FA Premier League. Using a computerized match‑analysis system, 5,938 match analyses from the 2006–2007 season were recorded for players in six positional roles, assessing physical metrics (total and high‑intensity distance with and without possession) and technical actions (heading duels, passing, possession time, ball touches). Results showed no positional difference in total distance, but FA Premier League players ran more sprint distance overall, while La Liga players sprinted more when in possession; La Liga won slightly more heading duels, had equal pass success, and FA Premier League wide midfielders had ~20 % more ball touches per possession, indicating cultural differences between leagues and positions.

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare match performance in professional soccer players across two major European championships: Spanish La Liga and English FA Premier League (FAPL). Data were collected using a computerized match analysis system. A total of 5938 analyses were recorded during the 2006–2007 season. The players were classified into six positional roles: central defenders, full backs, central defensive midfielders, wide midfielders, central attacking midfielders, and forwards. The match performance variables analysed included: (i) physical activity – total distance covered, distances covered at high‐intensities both with and without possession of the ball; (ii) technical actions – heading and ground duels, passing, time in possession, and ball touches. Comparison of the total distance covered by FAPL and La Liga players showed no difference across individual playing positions but FAPL players generally covered greater distances in sprinting. In contrast, more of the total distance in sprinting was covered by La Liga players when their team was in possession (values from P < 0.05 to P < 0.001), while an equal total sprint distance, irrespective of possession, was observed in FAPL players. La Liga players won more heading duels (49.32% vs. 48.68%) and performed the same proportion of successful passes (76.17%). FAPL wide midfielders had ~20% more ball touches per possession than their La Liga counterparts (2.24±0.54 vs. 2.03±0.55, P < 0.001). In conclusion, our results show that FAPL and La Liga teams present differences in various physical and technical aspects of match‐play, suggesting that cultural differences may exist across professional soccer leagues and playing positions.