Recognizing where opponents were creating value and setting up defensively
to stop it
Every team has one or a few set of goal creation strategies, and those goal creation
strategies often occur in certain areas of the field and include certain players.
StatDNA uses its advanced data and video analysis to find goal creation hotspots
and communicate those to the coaching staff with a data-rich report that includes
link to relevant videos.
Using these reports (as well as other factors) as inputs, Botafogo coach Joel Santana
determined tactical strategies that would work best against each opponent. There
are many examples where the StatDNA report led to improved understanding of the
opposition and translated into more points for Botafogo. Take for example the round
20 away match against Santos. StatDNA found that Santos Neymar was creating alot
of value by dribbling the ball into the center of the field from the wings, beating
a man and then passing it to an open team-mate when one or multiple defenders left
to help on Neymar. Because of this, Botafogo put in place a strong one-on-one marking
system in the attack zone and concentrated heavily on cutting of Neymar’s passing
options. The result: an exhilirating 1-0 triumph on a late goal by Loco Abreu.
Against Flamengo in round 27, StatDNA’s customized opposition analysis included
an analysis of penalty kick shooting and this snippet (along with access to relevant
videos):
“Petkovic is likely to take a penalty shot if one occurs. He has a very distinctive
way of approaching the ball: he slows down in the middle of his approach and then
quickly accelerates into the ball at the end. Because of this unique approach, he
has in all 4 of his penalties gotten the goalkeeper to dive to the opposite side
that he shoots to”
Goalkeeper Jefferson did indeed face a penalty in the 73 minute. True to form, Petkovic
took the penalty, approached the ball as he usually did with a mid approach slow
down and acceleration in the ball, and struck the ball to the right post. Jefferson,
with perfect timing, faked a move to his right as Petkovic got close to the ball,
and then dove to his left, blocking the shot.