Influence of team pressing on match performance in highest-level soccer; preliminary report

Toni Modric; Goran  Gabrilo; Damir Sekulič

doi:10.52165/kinsi.29.1.138-148

Authors

Toni Modric https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1652-619X
Goran Gabrilo
Damir Sekulič

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52165/kinsi.29.1.138-148

Keywords:

pressing behaviour, running performance, technical-tactical performance, UEFA Champions League, match analysis

Abstract

Considering lack of studies which investigated pressing behaviour in soccer, this study aimed to preliminary examine the influence of successful team pressing on team running performance (TRP) and team technical-tactical performance (TTP). All data were obtained from UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches (n=20) using optical system InStat Fitness. The TRP variables included total distance covered, low-intensity running (<4 m/s), running (4–5.5 m/s), high speed running (5.5–7 m/s) and sprinting (>7 m/s). The TTP variables included total actions shots on target, passes, key passes, crosses, dribbles, final third entries and penalty area entries. Linear mixed models were used to examine influence of successful team pressing on TRP and TTP. TRP was similar irrespective to number of successful pressings (t = -0.13 to 0.67, p < 0.05, all trivial to small effects sizes). All TTP tend to increase when higher rate of successful team pressings was utilized (t = 2.33 to 5.18, all p < 0.05, all large effects sizes). These findings show that i) successfully employed pressing style of play does not require increased physical performance, ii) that team pressing may be an effective tool for achieving greater success in highest-level soccer. This study may help soccer coaches to better understand physical and technical-tactical profiles of teams that utilize pressing style of play.

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