SECTION III - SPORTS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY / RESEARCH PAPER
Decoding Victory in Professional Soccer: How Tactical, Technical and Running Performance Shape Match Success in Spanish LaLiga
 
More details
Hide details
1
Sport Sciences Research Centre, Rey Juan Carlos University, Fuenlabrada, Spain.
 
2
Real Madrid Graduate School, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
 
3
Sports Research Center, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain.
 
4
Department of Competitions and Mediacoach, LaLiga, Madrid, Spain.
 
 
Submission date: 2024-11-28
 
 
Final revision date: 2025-04-09
 
 
Acceptance date: 2025-12-23
 
 
Online publication date: 2026-03-16
 
 
Corresponding author
Joaquin Gonzalez-Rodenas   

Sport Sciences Research Centre, Rey Juan Carlos University, Fuenlabrada, Spain
 
 
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The study aimed to analyze tactical, technical, and running performance variables according to the match outcome in Spanish LaLiga soccer matches. A sample of 20 teams participating in 380 matches during the 2020/2021 LaLiga season was examined. Each match was evaluated for eight tactical, ten technical, six physical, and four contextual variables (match location, opponent ranking, team ranking and numerical imbalance) using a reliable and validated optical tracking system. Linear mixed generalized models revealed that teams implemented an offensive style with a moderate decrease in positional attacks (Coefficient (β) = −13.11; p < 0.001), presented a small decrease in set pieces (β = −2.15; p < 0.001), but slightly more counterattacks (β = 1.18; p < 0.05) in wins than in losses. Defensively, teams exhibited a moderate increase in low-block sequences (β = 5.01; p < 0.001) and defensive set pieces (β = 2.23; p < 0.001), as well as a slight decrease in high-block sequences (β = −2.80; p < 0.05) in wins versus losses. Physically (in km), teams covered moderately less total distance (TD) (β = −4.16; p < 0.001) and high-intensity running distance (HIRD) (β = −0.10; p < 0.001), but more high-speed distance (HSR) (β = 0.10; p < 0.001) offensively in wins versus losses. Contrarily, slightly more TD (β = 3.69; p < 0.001) and less HSR (β = −0.72; p < 0.05) were covered defensively during victories. In conclusion, winning teams in LaLiga adopted a more direct playing style, emphasizing more counterattacks, HSR in attack and low-block defensive sequences
REFERENCES (62)
1.
Andrzejewski, M., Chmura, P., Konefal, M., Kowalczuk, E., & Chmura, J. (2017). Match outcome and sprinting activities in match play by elite German soccer players. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 58(6), 785–792.
 
2.
Andrzejewski, M., Oliva-Lozano, J. M., Chmura, P., Chmura, J., Czarniecki, S., Kowalczuk, E., Rokita, A., Muyor, J. M., & Konefał, M. (2022). Analysis of team success based on match technical and running performance in a professional soccer league. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 14(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/S13102....
 
3.
Aquino, R., Carling, C., Vieira, L. H. P., Martins, G., Jabor, G., Machado, J., Santiago, P., Garganta, J., & Puggina, E. (2020). Influence of situational variables, team formation, and playing position on match running performance and social network analysis in Brazilian Professional soccer players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 34(3), 808–817.
 
4.
Aquino, R., Martins, G., Vieria, L., & Menezes, R. (2017). Influence of match location, quality of opponents, and match status on movement patterns in Brazilian professional football players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 31(8), 2155–2161.
 
5.
Aranda, R., González-Ródenas, J., López-Bondia, I., Aranda-Malavés, R., Tudela-Desantes, A., & Anguera, M. T. (2019). “REOFUT” as an observation tool for tactical analysis on offensive performance in soccer: Mixed method perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1476. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.....
 
6.
Asian-Clemente, J. A., Rabano-Muñoz, A., Suarez-Arrones, L., & Requena, B. (2024). Analysis of Differences in Running Demands between  Official Matches and Transition Games  of Young Professional Soccer Players according  to the Playing Position. Journal of Human Kinetics, 92, 121–131. https://doi.org/10.5114/JHK/17....
 
7.
Barthelemy, B., Ravé, G., Govindasamy, K., Ali, A., Del Coso, J., Demeaux, J., Bideau, B. & Zouhal, H. (2024). Impact of Technical-Tactical and Physical Performance on the Match Outcome in Professional Soccer: A Case Study. Journal of Human Kinetics, 94, 203–214. https://doi.org/10.5114/jhk/18....
 
8.
Brito Souza, D., López-Del Campo, R., Blanco-Pita, H., Resta, R., & Del Coso, J. (2019). A new paradigm to understand success in professional football: analysis of match statistics in LaLiga for 8 complete seasons. International Journal of Performance in Sport, 19(4), 543–555. https://doi.org/10.1080/247486....
 
9.
Brito Souza, D., López-Del Campo, R., Blanco-Pita, H., Resta, R., & Del Coso, J. (2020). Association of match running performance with and without ball possession to football performance. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 20(3), 483–494. https://doi.org/10.1080/247486....
 
10.
Castellano, J., Blanco-Villaseñor, A., & Álvarez, D. (2011). Contextual variables and time-motion analysis in soccer. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 32(6), 415–421. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031....
 
11.
Castellano, J., Casamichana, D., & Lago, C. (2012). The use of match statistics that discriminate between successful and unsuccessful soccer teams. Journal of Human Kinetics, 31(1), 139–147. https://doi.org/10.2478/V10078....
 
12.
Castellano, J., López-Del Campo, R., & Hileno, R. (2024). Tell me how much your opponent team runs and I will tell you how much you should run: A predictive model applied to Spanish high-level football. Biology of Sport, 41(2), 275–283.
 
13.
Castellano, J., & Pic, M. (2019). Identification and preference of game styles in Laliga associated with match outcomes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(24), 5090.
 
14.
Chmura, P., Konefał, M., Chmura, J., Kowalczuk, E., Zajac, T., Rokita, A., & Andrzejewski, M. (2018). Match outcome and running performance in different intensity ranges among elite soccer players. Biology of Sport, 35(2), 197–203. https://doi.org/10.5114/BIOLSP....
 
15.
Duarte, R., Araújo, D., Correia, V., & Davids, K. (2012). Sports Teams as Superorganisms. Sports Medicine, 42(8), 633–642. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF0326....
 
16.
Felipe, J., Garcia-Unanue, J., Viejo-Romero, D., Navandar, A., & Sánchez-Sánchez, J. (2019). Validation of a video-based performance analysis system (Mediacoach) to analyze the physical demands during matches in LaLiga. Sensors, 19(9), 4113.
 
17.
Fernandez-Navarro, J., Fradua, L., Zubillaga, A., & McRobert, A. P. (2018). Influence of contextual variables on styles of play in soccer. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 18(3), 423–436. https://doi.org/10.1080/247486....
 
18.
García-Aliaga, A., Marquina Nieto, M., Coterón, J., Rodríguez-González, A., Gil Ares, J., & Refoyo Román, I. (2023). A Longitudinal Study on the Evolution of the Four Main Football Leagues Using Artificial Intelligence: Analysis of the Differences in English Premier League Teams. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 94(2), 529–537. https://doi.org/10.1080/027013....
 
19.
García-Calvo, T., Fernandez-Navarro, J., Díaz-García, J., López-Del Campo, R., Martínez Fernández, F., & Memmert, D. (2022). The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on soccer positional and physical demands in the Spanish La Liga. Science and Medicine in Football, 7(2), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/247339....
 
20.
Goes, F., Kempe, M., Van Norel, J., & Lemmink, K. (2021). Modelling team performance in soccer using tactical features derived from position tracking data. IMA Journal of Management Mathematics, 32(4), 519–533. https://academic.oup.com/imama....
 
21.
Goes, F. R., Meerhoff, L. A., Bueno, M. J. O., Rodrigues, D. M., Moura, F. A., Brink, M. S., Elferink-Gemser, M. T., Knobbe, A. J., Cunha, S. A., Torres, R. S., & Lemmink, K. A. P. M. (2020). Unlocking the potential of big data to support tactical performance analysis in professional soccer: A systematic review. European Journal of Sport Science, 21(4), 481–496. https://doi.org/10.1080/174613....
 
22.
González-Rodenas, J., Aranda, R., & Aranda-Malaves, R. (2020). The effect of contextual variables on the attacking style of play in professional soccer. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 16(2), 399. https://doi.org/10.14198/jhse.....
 
23.
González-Rodenas, J., Aranda, R., & Aranda-Malavés, R. (2020). The effect of contextual variables on the attacking style of play in professional soccer. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 16(2), 399–410.
 
24.
González-Rodenas, J., Ferrandis, J., Moreno-Pérez, V., López-Del Campo, R., Resta, R., & Del Coso, J. (2023). Differences in playing style and technical performance according to the team ranking in Spanish football LaLiga. A thirteen seasons study. PloS One, 18(10), e0293095.
 
25.
González-Rodenas, J., Ferrandis, J., Moreno-Pérez, V., López-Del Campo, R., Resta, R., & Del Coso, J. (2024). Effect of the phase of the season and contextual variables on match running performance in Spanish LaLiga football teams. Biology of Sport, 41(4), 101–108.
 
26.
Guilherme Goncalves, L., Filipa-Silva, A., Augusto, D., Pasquarelli, B., Pastor, A., Okato-Plato, F., Bedo, B. L. S., Vasconcellos, F., & Aquino, R. (2024). Attack, defense, and transitions in soccer: analyzing the performance of match-play. Sport Sciences for Health, 20, 1087–1100. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332....
 
27.
Gonçalves, L. G. C., Clemente, F. M., Palucci Vieira, L. H., Bedo, B., Puggina, E. F., Moura, F., Mesquita, F., Pereira Santiago, P. R., Almeida, R. & Aquino, R. (2021). Effects of match location, quality of opposition, match outcome, and playing position on load parameters and players’ prominence during official matches in professional soccer players. Human Movement, 22(3), 35–44. https://doi.org/10.5114/hm.202....
 
28.
Jerkovic, Z., Modric, T., & Versic, S. (2022). Analysis of the associations between contextual variables and match running performance in Croatian First Division Soccer. Sport Montenegrin, 20(2), 125–130. https://doi.org/10.26773/smj.2....
 
29.
Konefał, M., Chmura, P., Zacharko, M., Chmura, J., Rokita, A., & Andrzejewski, M. (2018). Match outcome vs match status and frequency of selected technical activities of soccer players during UEFA Euro 2016. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 18(4), 568–581. https://doi.org/10.1080/247486....
 
30.
Konefal, M., Chmura, P., Zajac, T., Chmura, J., Kowalczuk, E., & Andrzejewski, M. (2019). Evolution of technical activity in various playing positions, in relation to match outcomes in professional soccer. Biology of Sport, 36(2), 181–189. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsp....
 
31.
Lago-Peñas, C., García-Calvo, T., López-del Campo, Resta, R., & Ponce-Borbón, J. C. (2024). Match running performance is similar in lower and higher competitive standards of Spanish professional soccer accounting for effective playing time. Biology of Sport, 41(3), 39–46.
 
32.
Lago-Peñas, C., Gómez-Ruano, M.-Á., Owen, A., & Sampaio, J. (2017). The effects of a player dismissal on competitive technical match performance. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 16(3), 792–800.
 
33.
Lago-Peñas, C., Kalén, A., Lorenzo-Martinez, M., López-Del Campo, R., Resta, R., & Rey, E. (2020). Do elite soccer players cover longer distance when losing? Differences between attackers and defenders. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 16(3), 840–847. https://doi.org/10.1177/174795....
 
34.
Lago-Peñas, C., Lorenzo-Martinez, M., López-Del Campo, R., Resta, R., & Rey, E. (2022). Evolution of physical and technical parameters in the Spanish LaLiga 2012-2019. Science and Medicine in Football, 7(1), 41–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/247339....
 
35.
Lepschy, H., Woll, A., & Wäsche, H. (2021). Success Factors in the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia and FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 638690. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.....
 
36.
Li, C., & Zhao, Y. (2021). Comparison of Goal Scoring Patterns in “The Big Five” European Football Leagues. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(11), 619304. https://doi.org/10.3389/FPSYG.....
 
37.
Link, D., Lang, S., & Seidenschwarz, P. (2016). Real Time Quantification of Dangerousity in Football Using Spatiotemporal Tracking Data. PLoS One, 11(12), e0168768. https://doi.org/10.1371/journa....
 
38.
Liu, H., Gomez, M.-Á., Lago-Peñas, C., Sampaio, J., Gomez, M.-ángel, & Lago-Peñas, C. (2015). Match statistics related to winning in the group stage of 2014 Brazil FIFA World Cup. Journal of Sport Sciences, 33(12), 1205–1213. https://doi.org/10.1080/026404....
 
39.
Liu, H., Hopkins, W., Gómez, M. A., & Molinuevo, J. S. (2017). Inter-operator reliability of live football match statistics from OPTA Sportsdata. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 13(3), 803–821. https://doi.org/10.1080/247486....
 
40.
Llana, S., Burriel, B., Madrero, P., & Fernández, J. (2022). Is it worth the effort? Understanding and contextualizing physical metrics in soccer. Arxiv.Org, 2204.02313. https://arxiv.org/abs/2204.023....
 
41.
Manuel Clemente, F., Praça, G., Oliveira, R., Aquino, R., Araújo, R., Silva, R., Sarmento, H., Afonso, J., Altmann, S., Kempe, M., & Superior Desporto Lazer, E. (2022). The use of player tracking data to analyze defensive play in professional soccer - A scoping review. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 17(6), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/174795....
 
42.
Mao, L., Peng, Z., Liu, H., & Gomez, M. (2016). Identifying keys to win in the Chinese professional soccer league. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 16(3), 935–947. https://doi.org/10.1080/247486....
 
43.
Mitrotasios, M., González-Rodenas, J., Armatas, V., & Aranda, R. (2019). The creation of goal scoring opportunities in professional soccer. Tactical differences between Spanish La Liga, English Premier League, German Bundesliga and Italian Serie A. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 19(3), 452–465. https://doi.org/10.1080/247486....
 
44.
Modric, T., Versic, S., Jukic, I., & Sekulic, D. (2024). Physical performance discriminating winning and losing in UEFA Champions League: a full-season study. Biology of Sport, 42(1), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.5114/BIOLSP....
 
45.
Modric, T., Versic, S., Morgans, R., & Sekulic, D. (2023a). Match running performance characterizing the most elite soccer match play. Biology of Sport, 40(4), 949–958.
 
46.
Modric, T., Versic, S., Stojanovic, M., Chmura, P., Andrzejewski, M., Konefal, M., & Sekulic, D. (2023b). Factors affecting match running performance in elite soccer. Analysis of UEFA Champions League Matches. Biology of Sport, 40(2), 409–416.
 
47.
Morgans, R., Orme, P., & Di Michele, R. (2023). Impact of technical and physical performance on match outcome over five elite European soccer seasons. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 63(3), 417–429. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022....
 
48.
Morgans, R., Radnor, J., Fonseca, J., Rhodes, D., Ryan, B., King, M., Zmijewski, P., & Oliveira, R. (2024). Comparison of running and accelerometry variables based on match outcome, match location and quality of opponent in elite professional soccer players. A five-season study. Biology of Sport, 42(1), 67–79. https://doi.org/10.5114/BIOLSP....
 
49.
O´Donoghue, P., & Robinson, G. (2016). The effect of dismissals on work-rate in English FA Premier League Soccer. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 16(3), 898–909.
 
50.
Oliva-Lozano, J., Martínez-Puertas, H., Fortes, V., López-Del Campo, R., Resta, R., & Muyor, J. (2023). Is there any relationship between match running, technical-tactical performance, and team success in professional soccer? A longitudinal study in the first and second divisions of LaLiga. Biology of Sport, 40(2), 587–594 https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsp....
 
51.
Parim, C., Güneş, M. Ş., Hakan Büyüklü, A., & Yıldız, D. (2021). Prediction of Match Outcomes with Multivariate Statistical Methods for the Group Stage in the UEFA Champions League. Journal of Human Kinetics, 79, 197–209. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-....
 
52.
Ponce-Borbón, J., López-Gajardo, M., Lobo-Triviño, D., Pulido, J., & García-Calvo, T. (2024). Longitudinal match running performance analysis of soccer in professional European leagues: A systematic review. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 24(6), 1–25.
 
53.
Pons, E., García-Calvo, T., Resta, R., Blanco, H., López del Campo, R., Diaz García, J., & Pulido, J. J. (2019). A comparison of a GPS device and a multi-camera video technology during official soccer matches: Agreement between systems. PloS One, 14(8), e0220729.
 
54.
Prieto-González, P., Martín, V., Marcelino, R. & Sal-de-Rellán, A. (2025). Are Counterattacks More Effective than Positional Attacks in Soccer? A Comparative Analysis of Influencing Factors. Journal of Human Kinetics, 100, 191–205. https://doi.org/10.5114/jhk/20....
 
55.
Rein, R., & Memmert, D. (2016). Big data and tactical analysis in elite soccer: future challenges and opportunities for sports science. SpringerPlus, 5(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/S40064....
 
56.
Sarkar, S. (2018). Paradox of crosses in association football (soccer) - A game-theoretic explanation. Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports, 14(1), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.1515/JQAS-2....
 
57.
Sarmento, H., Figueiredo, A., Lago-Peñas, C., Milanovic, Z., Barbosa, A., Tadeu, P., & Bradley, P. (2018). Influence of tactical and situational variables on offensive sequences during elite football matches. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 32(8), 2331–2339. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.00....
 
58.
Teixera, J. E., Leal, M., Ferraz, R., Ribeiro, J., Cachada, J. M., Barbosa, T. M., Monteiro, A. M., & Forte, P. (2021). Effects of Match location, quality of opposition and match outcome on Match running performance in a Portuguese Professional Football Team. Entropy, 23(8), 973.
 
59.
Travassos, B., Davids, K., Araújo, D., & Pedro Esteves, P. (2013). Performance analysis in team sports: Advances from and ecological dynamics approach. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 13(1), 83–95.
 
60.
Trewin, J., Meylan, C., Varley, M. C., & Cronin, J. (2017). The influence of situational and environmental factors on match-running in soccer: a systematic review. Science and Medicine in Football, 1(2), 183–194. https://doi.org/10.1080/247339....
 
61.
Vecer, J. (2014). Crossing in soccer has a strong negative impact on scoring: Evidence from the English Premier League the German Bundesliga and the World Cup 2014. SSRN, 2225728. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/p....
 
62.
Yang, G., Leicht, A., Lago, C., & Gómez, M. (2018). Key team physical and technical performance indicators indicative of team quality in the soccer Chinese super league. Research in Sport Medicine, 26(2), 158–167. https://doi.org/10.1080/154386....
 
eISSN:1899-7562
ISSN:1640-5544
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top