Contextual analysis of physical-tactical match performance demands in elite U21 soccer players

Authors

Craig Davies, 1.School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK 2.Brentford FC Football Research Centre, Brentford FC, London, UK
Christian Vassallo, A-STEM, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
Ben Ryan, Brentford FC Football Research Centre, Brentford FC, London, UK
Piotr Zmijewski, Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandFollow
Rafael Oliveria, 1. Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, (CIDESD), Santarém Polytechnic University, Rio Maior, Portugal; 2.Santarém Polytechnic University, School of Sport, Rio Maior, Portugal
José E. Teixeira, Department of Sports Sciences, Polytechnic of Cávado and Ave, Guimarães, Portugal SPRINT—Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Inovation Center, Guarda, Portugal Department of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Alexandre Moreira, Department of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Ryland Morgans, 1.School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK 2.Brentford FC Football Research Centre, Brentford FC, London, UK

Abstract

Background: Soccer matches include physical and tactical factors, yet limited research has integrated physical-tactical variables involving U21 soccer players. This study examined how different phases of play influence physical intensity in elite U21 soccer players. Materials and Methods: Twelve professional development league matches involving 29 male U21 soccer players (106 observations) were analysed. Players wore 10 Hz GPS units to derive relative (m/min) physical metrics during six phases of play. Phases and positions were compared using repeated‑measures ANOVA and one‑way ANOVA. Results: Players covered significantly greater high-speed running per minute (HSR/min) during the final third compared to build-up (p = 0.015, ES: 0.5, small) and progression phases (p = < 0.001, ES: 0.6, moderate). Furthermore, players covered significantly greater HSR/min during the defensive low block phase compared to build-up (p = 0.001, ES: 0.7, moderate), progression (p = < 0.001, ES: 0.9, moderate), middle block (p = 0.011, ES: 0.7, moderate) and high press (p = 0.001, ES: 0.8, moderate) phases. Conclusions: Differing phases of play required specific physical qualities depending on the position and the tactical role within the team. This integrated approach provides contextualisation of important physical metrics relevant to tactical actions that may inform training design and rehabilitation sessions.

Recommended Citation

Davies C, Vassallo C, Ryan B, Zmi-jewski P, Oliveria R, Teixeira JE, Moreira A, Morgans R. Contextual analysis of physical-tactical match performance demands in elite U21 soccer players. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2025;17(3):Article3. DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.17.3.03

Author ORCID Identifier

Craig DAVIES; ORCID 0009-0001-8654-6113

Christian VASSALLO; ORCID 0000-0001-8053-4237

Piotr ŻMIJEWSKI; ORCID 0000-0002-5570-9573

Rafael OLIVERIA; ORCID 0000-0001-6671-6229

Alexandre MOREIRA; ORCID 0000-0002-4609-1839

Ryland MORGANS; ORCID 0000-0003-2007-4827

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.