Variation of Match Statistics and Football Team's Match Performance in the Group Stage of UEFA Champions League from 2010 to 2017

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the relationships between the variation of match variables and team’s match performance. Data from all 768 matches played at the group stage of UEFA Champions League from season 2009/10 to 2016/17 were analysed. The non-clinical magnitude-based inferences was used to identify the differences of technical variation between teams. The autocorrelation function, correlation analysis and generalised linear model were used to examine the relationships between the variation of match variables and teams’ match performance. Results showed that qualified teams showed more stable match performance on variables related to goal scoring, attacking and passing, while non-qualified teams displayed more stable match performance on variables related to defending. CVs of all variables related to goal scoring and variables related to attacking and passing showed negative relationships with the teams’ match performance. While CVs of variables related to defending showed positive relationships with the teams’ match performance. Findings of this study can provide useful information about the variability of match variables, contributing to the development of specific training interventions to enhance team’s performance in key indicators.