Match Analysis

November 14, 2008

New York West State Association

Dave Clarke
Head Women’s Coach, Quinnipiac University
US Soccer Staff Coach
Connecticut Football Club
 Why Match Analysis?
• Premier/ODP/Regional
– Player development, individual and team assessment, practice
planning, scout opposition prior to major tournament
– Example: Central midfield player – success rate of passing, tackles
won, runs in behind opposition back four, etc.

• Professional/National Team
– Team and opposition, practice planning, help achieve results, tactical
analysis, opposition scouting, player tendencies, effectiveness of team
members and opposition players
 Why Match Analysis?
• Youth
– Player development, individual assessment, practice planning,
opposition comparison
– Example: 1v1 moves, passes made

• High School
- Practice planning, player assessment, scout opposition

• College
– Practice planning, player assessment, player development, assess
opposition tactics, set plays, players, achieve results
 Benefits of Analysis
• Helps avoid general statements becoming fact
– Goalkeeper was at fault
– We played well
– He/she is a great player
• Defines and quantifies the meaning of “a good player,”
“dominated the game,” “created chances,” “outshot the
opposition.”
• Helps demonstrate whether a 3-0 win is impressive or not
• Helps in session and season planning
 A Contrast in Styles
• 4-5-1
1986 Argentina (Attacking) v 2008 Rangers (Defensive)
• 4-4-2
1966 England (Defensive) v 1999 Manchester Utd (Attacking)
• 4-1-4-1
2008 Chelsea (Defensive) v 2008 Liverpool (Attacking)
• 4-3-3
1974 Holland (Attacking) v 1994 AC Milan (Defensive)
 Match Day Questions
• What are the main areas of concern for us ahead of the game?

• How do our opponents key players effect the game?

• What areas of our opponents play can we exploit?

• What areas of our play can our opponents exploit?

 Team Structure
• Formation
– 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-5-1, 4-1-4-1, etc.
• Number of Forwards
– Roles: central, left/right
• Number of Midfielders
– Roles : wingers, defensive holding , attacking
• Number of Defenders
– Roles : man for man, attacking full backs
• Goalkeeper
– Role: sweeper, organizer, clear long, short
 Attacking Tendencies
• Direct/Indirect
• Territorial – play into channels, turn the opposition
• Possession
• Play Maker
– How does he/she get the ball?
– Who does he/she get it from?
– Where is he/she effective?
– Left or right footed?
– What type of service does he/she provide?
 Attacking Tendencies
• Main Goal Scorer
. –
–
How does he/she score?
Where from?
– What type of service does he/she prefer?
– Ball played to feet or to space?
– Who provides service?

• Patterns of Runs
– Do players in each third of the field have certain patterns?
– How does this effect our defending method?
 Defending Tendencies
• Number of defenders behind the ball
• Play with a sweeper
• Midfield composition
• Role of forwards in defending
– Do they track back? How far? Half way line? All the way?
• Type of defensive pressure: high, low, combination
– Where will they begin to confront
– All over the field, edge of midfield, other
 Defending Tendencies
• Marking
– Man to man zone combination
– Which method in which areas of the field?
– Do they mark key players? Specific marker?
• Restarts
– Are they quick or slow to organize?
• Goalkeeper
– Positional tendencies
– Physical make up
– Handling
– Distribution
 Restarts/Set Plays
• Free kick specialist
– Type of shot
– Range
– Target players for headers

• Restart tendencies
– Quick or slow
– Direct shot or multiple touches

• Penalty Taker
– Who? What side? Power or accuracy?
 Restarts/Set Plays
• Corners
– Target area
– In swinger or out swinger
– Short
– Near or far post

• Throw ins
– Quick or slow
– To who
– Long throw specialist
 Overall Strengths
and Weaknesses
• Speed: team v individual
• Size: team v individual, by position
• Technical ability: team v individual
• Tactical awareness of the players
• Fitness: when goals scored or conceded?
• Where and how goals are scored from?
• Where and how goals are conceded?
 Adjustments
• What adjustments will the opposition make when 1-0 up?
• What adjustments will the opposition make when 1-0 down?
• What formation will they play when down or ahead?
• What players will they take off or bring on?
• How do they react when behind?
• How have they reacted?
• What time of the game do they score or concede?
• How do they react to cautions or player ejections?
• What will we do in the same circumstances?
 World Cup Goals
• 2002 and 2006 World Cups
– Inside the 6 yard area = 31%
– Inside the 18 yard area (6-18) = 54%
– Influence set plays and where to put the ball?
– Outside the 18 = 15%
• 85% of all goals are scored in the 18 yard area
• Type of goals
– 32% are 2 touch
– 10% player dribbles around the keeper
 Set Plays
• World Cup Finals 1966-2006
– 35 goals scored in 11 finals

– 17 goals from set plays (48.5%)

– 3 goals from penalties (8.5%)

– 5 goals regained from a set play (14%)

– Only 12 goals from open play (34%)

– 1994 and 2006 Finals won on PKs, 1990 won by a PK