Influence of opposition team formation on physical and skill-related performance in a professional soccer team

Abstract

This study examined the influence of opposition team formation on physical and skill-related performance in a professional soccer team. Performance in forty-five French League 1 matches played over three competitive seasons (2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10) was analysed using multi-camera computerised tracking. Players (n=21) in the reference team (using a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation) were analysed in matches against three opposition team formations: 4-4-2 (11 games), 4-3-3/4-5-1 (16 games) and 4-2-3-1 (18 games). Performance was compared for defending and midfield units as a whole and individually across four positions: fullbacks, central-defenders and central- and wide-midfielders. Collectively, players covered a greater total distance (p<0.05) and distance in low/moderate-intensity running (0-14.3km/h) (p<0.05) in matches against a 4-2-3-1 compared to a 4-4-2 formation. Distance covered in high-intensity (14.4-19.7km/h) and very high-intensity running (≥19.8km/h) was not affected by opposition formation. In contrast, players covered more distance in total high-intensity performance (≥14.4km/h) when the reference team was in possession against a 4-4-2 compared to a 4-2-3-1 formation (p<0.05) while more distance was run at these speeds when the reference team was out of possession against a 4-2-3-1 (p<0.01) and a 4-3-3 (p<0.05) compared to a 4-4-2 formation. Players ran less distance at low/moderate intensities in the second- versus first-half of matches against all three formations (p<0.01 to p<0.05) whereas total distance and high-intensity performance was unaffected. None of the measures of physical performance across the individual playing positions were affected by opposition team formation. Skill-related performance varied according to opposition formation: players as a whole performed more passes versus a 4-4-2 than a 4-2-3-1 (p<0.01), ground and aerial duels versus a 4-2-3-1 compared to a 4-4-2 (both p<0.01); 1-touch passes versus a 4-2-3-1 compared to a 4-4-2 (p<0.01) and a 4-3-3/4-5-1 (p<0.05). The mean number of touches per possession was highest versus a 4-4-2 compared to a 4-3-3/4-5-1 (p<0.01) and a 4-2-3-1 (p<0.01). While skill-related performance across the four individual playing positions was generally unaffected by opposition team formation, mean pass length was greater in central-midfielders against a 4-4-2 compared to 4-3-3/4-5-1 (p<0.05) and 4-2-3-1 (p<0.01) formations. In general, these findings suggest that physical performance in the reference team was not greatly affected by opposition team formation. In contrast, skill-related demands varied substantially according to opponent formation and may have consequences for tactical and technical preparation and team selection policies.