Based on a sample of 9 matches from the English Premier League in the 2021/22 season, we
aimed to identify differences in defenders' behavior during the defensive phase among teams of
varying quality. We divided the teams into three quality tiers. We proposed and tested five
hypotheses. For four of them, we used the chi-square test and examined differences between the
tiers using standardized residuals, while for the fourth hypothesis, unlike the others, we used a
non-parametric form of the ANOVA test (Kruskal-Wallis test). Post hoc testing was conducted
using the Mann-Whitney U test.
We found statistically significant differences in defenders' positioning during the defensive phase
depending on the team's tier. Higher-tier teams more frequently used the "1 cover" setup, where
active ball recovery (regaining) occurs in more central zones. In contrast, lower-tier teams more
often used the "2 cover" setup, where the player on the opposite side of the ball provides cover. A
result that did not align with findings from other authors was that higher-tier teams more
frequently used fast attacks, while lower-tier teams preferred continuous attacks.
Across all quality tiers, the relationship between the type of pass and defensive behavior showed
that players tend to attempt to intercept or commit a foul when facing through passes, while in
cases of lateral passes, defenders typically just close space and mark the opponent. We also
found that higher-tier teams defend with a lower average number of players during the opponent’s
attacking actions. The ratio of defenders to attackers directly affects the likelihood of finishing an
attack with a shot on goal. When there are more attackers than defenders, the chance of a shot
increases.
The results of our study indicate that defender behavior during the defensive phase is not arbitrary
but is strongly influenced by team quality, the type of playing situation (type of pass), and the zone
in which the action takes place, providing important insights for analytics and coaching practice
in modern football.
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