Table of Contents
Introduction
The world of football is becoming more data-driven every day. Modern teams use data to inform everything from transfer strategies to in-game tactics. One specific area where data can provide critical insights is in the realm of set pieces in football. With the right tools and the right data, teams can gain an edge over their competition. In the Cypriot 1st division, one team has risen above the rest in set-piece prowess during the 2022/23 season. Using a sophisticated tool developed in Tableau, leveraging the Wyscout API, I seek to identify this team and decipher the secrets behind their success.
Why Focus on Set Pieces in Football?
Set pieces in football, including corners and free-kicks, offer a controlled environment within the chaotic realm of football. Teams can rehearse, drill, and implement specific plays, and defensive strategies. Moreover, a significant amount of goals in football result from set-pieces, highlighting the importance of mastering both the offensive and defensive aspects of them.
Methodology
Using my custom-built tool created using Tableau and Wyscout API, I analyzed the data from the 2022/23 season of the Cypriot 1st division. Although the tool lacks player tracking data to identify movements and player positionings, the richness of Wyscout’s statistics allows for a comprehensive study.
Identifying the Set-Piece Titans
To begin with, I’ll identify the teams that consistently deliver accurate corners*.APOEL stands out as the leader in this domain, closely trailed by AEK Larnaca and Apollon. Notably, both Pafos and Anorthosis also showcase a commendable number of precise crosses, meriting acknowledgment.
Transitioning to free kicks, APOEL once again takes the lead with the most accurate deliveries. Nea Salamis trails just behind them. In contrast, other teams lag significantly in their accurate free kick counts.
Examining a broader set of statistics, APOEL consistently emerges as the foremost threat from corners. They lead in xG**, third place for the most shots post-corner, and alongside AEK Larnaca, top the charts in goals resulting from corners.
Turning our attention to free-kicks, APOEL maintains its dominance as the league’s primary menace. They lead with the most xG from free-kick set-pieces, rank second in shots post-free-kick, and top the charts with goals coming from free-kicks—amassing a staggering total of 14 set-piece goals last season!
It’s evident that APOEL was the standout threat in the Cypriot First Division during the 2022/23 season. With 14 of their 52 goals coming from set-pieces, they boasted an impressive 27% scoring rate from such situations!
Identifying the key-player behind the successful set-piece strategy
When examining who benefits most from accurate corners, Kvilitaia distinctly stands out as the top player securing first-contact*** during APOEL’s set-pieces. Both Crespo and Kostandinov are also notable for frequently winning those initial contacts from set-pieces.
Turning our attention to those delivering corners for APOEL, Sarfo and Villafañez emerge as the most formidable duo. They lead in xG generated from their corners and in the number of shots taken. Notably, Villafañez’s corners were converted into goals four times, doubling the conversion rate of both Sarfo’s and Marquinho’s deliveries.
Similarly, when evaluating free-kick specialists, Kingsley Sarfo, El Fardou-Ben, and Lucas Villafañez consistently stand out. They lead in both xG and shots derived from their free-kicks. Remarkably, free-kicks taken by Lucas Villafañez and El Fardou-Ben resulted in a total of four goals.
Consequently, it’s well-founded to conclude that Sarfo, Villafañez, and Ben are the paramount threats during set-piece situations. It’s also reasonable to deduce that Kvilitaia, Kostadinov, and Crespo are the primary players aiming to secure the initial contact during set-pieces.
Identifying set-piece routines and target locations
This analysis will focus to APOEL’s corner strategies and preferred target zones. It becomes unmistakably apparent that they predominantly aim their corners at the first post and the penalty spot with almost the same threat in both areas, irrespective of the side. In addition, corners with first contact at the near post generated the highest threat.
- Right Side – Inswing
When examining the inswing corners from the right side, it’s evident that Sarfo and Ben are the primary set-piece takers. Their efforts have culminated in an xG value of 2.84, leading to 22 shots and a conversion of 2 goals. From the heatmap, it’s evident that there are several short corners taken. Consistent with our earlier observations, their target zones predominantly focus on the near post and the penalty spot****.
- Right Side – Outswing
Analyzing the outswing corners from the right side, it’s clear that Villafanez is the primary corner taker, with Marquinhos and Efrem contributing occasionally. These corners have garnered an xG value of 1.47, translating to 13 shots and a commendable 2 goals. The heatmap further reveals that their favoured target is the penalty spot.
- Left Side – Inswing
Upon scrutinizing the inswing corners from the left side, Villafanez, Marquinhos, and Efrem emerge as the primary takers. These efforts have yielded an xG value of 2.88, translating to 17 shots and an impressive 4 goals. It’s evident that they occasionally opt for short corners and primarily aim for the near post.
- Left Side – Outswing
Lastly, shifting our focus to the outswing corners from the left, it’s evident that such corners are infrequently taken, with Sarfo and Ben being the predominant takers. Their endeavors have led to an xG value of 0.33 and 4 shots, but unfortunately, none converted into a goal. The trajectory of these corners seems to be aimed at the far post. A notable observation is that many of the initial contacts are significantly distanced from the goal, possibly indicating poor deliveries.
Key takeaways from this analysis:
- APOEL consistently stands out as a formidable force during set-pieces, accounting for a significant portion of their goals from such situations.
- The team boasts formidable aerial specialists like Kvilitaia, Crespo, Dvali, and Kostandinov. Their prowess is evident as they frequently secure the initial contacts.
- With set-piece maestros like Sarfo, Villafanez, and Ben, APOEL has managed to generate substantial xG values and convert numerous goals from these situations.
- A discernible strategy in APOEL’s set-pieces is targeting the near post and penalty spot, with the former posing a heightened threat.
- A distinct preference emerges from their playstyle: they favor inswing corners from both flanks.
- On occasion, APOEL explores the option of short corners.
- It’s worth highlighting Villafanez’s proficiency; despite missing several matches due to injuries, his contributions from set-pieces have been instrumental, registering among the highest xGs and leading to the most goals.
Things to consider
Concluding from data alone can be dangerous, especially when making broad assumptions. In this particular instance, the absence of tracking data and player positioning due to limitations in the Wyscout API further compounds the risk. It’s crucial to view this analysis as a tool to inform and complement video analysis, guiding potential implications and recommendations. Approached in this manner, the process becomes more reliable, effective, and efficient. The purpose of this analysis was to harness the full potential of the tool I’ve developed, striving to extract as much insight as possible from it.
Conclusion
This analysis provides a broad overview, but there’s potential to delve much deeper. We can further dissect individual players, examining their physical attributes, aerial dominance, and various other metrics. This methodology is flexible, allowing us to adjust our lens to specific timeframes such as the most recent five matches, or any chosen set of games when focusing on a particular team. This can be invaluable for strategizing our set pieces in football. While the tool can be instrumental in making both defensive and offensive decisions, the primary objective of this analysis was to derive insights into APOEL’s set-piece efficiency and tactics using data-driven conclusions to inform defensive strategies.
*Accurate Set-Piece refers to a set-piece pass (high/low, short/long) that found a teammate.
**xG value is considered at the end of the attacking phase, not always from the first contact.
***Recipients are considered the players who won the first contact immediately after the set-piece.
****Heatmaps are created from the recipient’s first contact locations.
