Análise de network no futebol: um estudo de caso na Copa do Mundo FIFA 2022TM

Abstract

The implementation of Social Network Analysis (SNA) in football makes it possible to measure the synergistic interaction between team members. Thus, coaches and sports analysts can know the detailed self-organizing properties of teams in different phases of the game. The aim of this study was to verify the networks of the passes of the England and France teamsin a confrontation valid for the quarterfinals in the FIFA World Cup 2022TM. The match in question was included by criteria of longest playing time without any substitutions or dismissals, in addition it was a game of great repercussion and audience. The data was "scraped" by computational statistical language R from advanced game statistics provided and made publicly available by the company StatsBomb Inc. (London, United Kingdom). Quantitative graph and notational analysis used the ARS and centroid method, obtaining total links, network density, diameter, clusters, and key players. Analytical complementarity was provided by qualitative observational analysis of the game on videotape reporting individual and collective events and behaviors of interest. The 4-2-3-1 system of play was recorded for the France team, and the 4- 3-3 system for the England team. A total of 866 in-game pass interactions were observed (n= 380, France; n= 486, England), with 82.6% and 86% accuracy, respectively. France's geometric net area occupied 1344 m2, and England's 1910 m2. The French team obtained the greatest width (59.4 m) and distance from the opponent's goal (48 m) (England, depth, 44.3 m; distance from own goal, 57.6 m). In France, that players Thuamenin (central midfielder), and Griezmann (attacking midfielder); and in England, that Maguirre (defender), Rice (central midfielder) and Henderson (central midfielder) were the key players and the most influential athletes in the passing interactions. There was the prominence of triangles on both sides of the French attack; in England, only on the left side. Both teams sought to initiate the offensive phase from the right side of the field. It found that high values of teammate connectivity were associated with better overall team performance, and highly concentrated connectivities were not effective for advancing into the final third. Finally, 41 and 52 connections were counted for the French and English teams. The results presented here can help in understanding how synergistic interaction and self-organization of the team emerges, and how collective behavior is orchestrated for exchanging passes.