Statistical Analysis of Organized Attacks in Football

Abstract: This report investigates what defensive and attacking strategies are most efficient in an organized attack situation in football. Defensive shape, defending player synchronizations, number of passes, types of passes and other variables are tested to see which methods statistically generate more and better goal scoring opportunities. Data from the Eredevise (highest Dutch football division) 2021/2022 season is investigated where organized attack attempts are found. The data is then filtered to find defensive and attacking team characteristics of each attack attempt respectively. Three regression methods are then used to statistically analyse what strategies are the best pre- dictors for whether an attack is successful. In the Eredevise 2021/2022 season, playing crosses was the best way to improve quality of chances created and a good way to create more chances. Keeping a high movement speed among the players playing in attacking positions also tends to generate more and better chances. From a defending team perspective, moving synchronously and spreading out the team over greater areas are good ways to prevent opponents from scoring.