Match running performance is influenced by possession and team formation in an English Premier League team.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the possession (very low, low, high, and very high), team formation (3-5-2 and 4-3-3) and position (centre-backs, full-backs, centre midfielders, attacking midfielders, and centre forwards) on match load across two consecutive seasons in elite soccer. Twenty-seven English Premier League outfield players were recruited. Data was monitored through an 18 Hz Global Positioning System and a 25 Hz semi-automated camera tracking system, respectively, and all variables were analysed per minute. Main effects for formation on total distance (TD) (p = 0.006; η ² = 0.010), high-speed running (HSR) (p = 0.009; η ² = 0.009), number of high metabolic load (HML) efforts (p = 0.004; η ² = 0.011) were observed. In addition, there were significant interaction effects with formation × possession on TD (p < 0.001; η ² = 0.043), HSR (p = 0.006; η ² = 0.018), sprinting (p < 0.001; η ² = 0.030), HML efforts (p < 0.001; η ² = 0.035), accelerations (p < 0.001; η ² = 0.025). From the position-specific analysis, only the running performance of centre-backs was affected by formation or positional factors. These results indicate that formation and possession can have a significant impact on TD, HSR, and HML distance. Furthermore, players performed more high-intensity efforts in 3-5-2 than 4-3-3 formation. These findings suggest that coaches can evaluate running performance in the context of formation and possession and tailor tactical strategies to optimise physical performance.