I did not know one Rafa Benitez had a website and his insight shows how meticulous this man was and pretty much explains why he won many tactical battles.I could not post the graphs but you can get them in the link to his blog. Is La Liga better than the Premier League? My first impression, and whenever I have been asked this question I have been convinced of this, is that the Premier League is quicker and has bigger physical demands than the Spanish championship, and that La Liga is more technical and tactical. I think that most football fans who are acquainted with both leagues will think the same thing, but, looking at the data we have received from companies such as Opta (who analyse more matches) and Amisco, and having read some published articles on the subject, we decided to do this analysis. The first thing you have to take in to account is that according to the criteria used by these companies to define the parameters, the data can be different. For example, to count blocked shots as a shot or not completely changes the statistics. The same applies to the speed of the players; a sprint can be defined as over 21km/h or over 24km/h, which obviously changes the analysis. To avoid the problem, having compared the data, we decided to use the most reliable data and present it in the clearest possible way; so the study will not have any scientific value but will give us a more objective idea of the 2010-11 season in both leagues. From a Technical Point of View. The first data we analysed showed only small differences in time of ball in play, 53 minutes in La Liga and 54 minutes in the Premier League last season. Attacking: La Liga Attack Premier League 2.74 Average goals per game 2.79 15 Average shots per game 18 45% Shooting accuracy 36% 17% % of headed goals 19% 35% % of Set Play goals 34% The goals average is slightly better in the Premier League, 2.79 goals per game compared to 2.74 in La Liga. The average number of shots per game, 18 in the Premier League compared to 15 in La Liga, has been the same for the last 2 seasons. It stands out that La Liga players are more accurate in shooting, 45% compared to 36% in the Premier League. There is little difference in headed goals, 17% compared to 19%. The percentage of goals from Set Plays was higher in the Premier League, 37% compared to 29%, in the 2009-10 season whereas in 2010-11 it was 35% in La Liga compared to 34% in the Premier League. Passing: La Liga Passing Premier League 819 Passes per game 801 23% % of long passes 26% 489 Passes in Opposition Half 494 258 Passes in Final Third 276 66% Accuracy of passes in Final Third 62% 27 Crosses per game 33 The number of passes per game is similar for the last 2 seasons in both leagues, although slightly higher in the Spanish league. There is not a significant difference. More long passes in the Premier League, more in the opposition half and also more in the final third, but with less accuracy. This may be due to the fact that in the Premier League many of these passes came from the goalkeeper. Similarly, more crosses in the Premier League over the last 2 seasons. General Play: La Liga General Play Premier League 38 Dribbles per game 33 37% Successful dribbles 43% 42 Final Third entries per game 56 In La Liga, they dribble more and with more success in the Premier League. Higher number of challenges in the Premier League, and this is an important factor when we consider the disciplinary data. Discipline: La Liga Discipline Premier League 19 Fouls per game 17 5 Number of Fouls between cards 7 More tackles in the Premier League, fewer fouls given and fewer cards shown in relation to the number of fouls given, clearly indicates that the Premier League is more physical than La Liga. Tactical Analysis. The systems used are similar, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-4-1-1 and 4-4-2, in both leagues. The quality of the team dictates their style. In Spain, they look more to pass and support, but in England, whilst there are also many teams who try to move the ball on the ground, generally the play is more direct, as we have seen in the long pass data and the entries to the opposition area, reflected in the shots attempted and goals scored. Physical Data Analysis. This is the latest data we compiled from Amisco and you can see the prevalence of La Liga compared to the Premier League. However, in another study as well as in our own collected data from different seasons in both leagues, we do not see the same results. Due to the low number of matches from which this data was collected because there was no specialised equipment, the data may not be absolutely 100% accurate. Therefore we consider the data we directly collected to be more reliable, and thus we believe that in the Premier League they run more and more quickly than in La Liga. La Liga Distance Covered Premier League Per Player 10508 Distance covered (m) 10494 273 Distance in sprint (+24 km/h) 264 322 High Speed (21-24 km/h) 297 595 High Intensity 561 Our Data from other Seasons 11072 Total Distance covered 11174 489 High Intensity 530 In another study, our conclusion is corroborated and confirms that in the Premier League, they run more, more in high intensity (blue) and more in sprints (see graphic). please log in to view this image Psychological Aspects. This is influenced as much by the tempo of the game as by the duels, fouls, cards and challenges in general. As we can see in the graphic, the Premier League is much more demanding in terms of physical contact, both on the ground and in the air, and in our experience, we know that the English fans demand intensity and high tempo, so, from a psychological point of view, the game is more demanding in the Premier League. If you hide, you wonât survive in the Premier League, something that the following graphic of aerial and ground duels (blue) suggests. Confrontations in Recent Years. The only reliable references to compare teams in the Premier League and La Liga are Champions League meetings, although Atletico Madrid beating Liverpool in the semi-final and then Fulham in the final of the Europa League also stands out. In the Champions League, going back to season 2008-9, we have the victory of Arsenal against Villarreal (4-1 over 2 legs) and Liverpool over Real Madrid (5-0) with obvious English superiority. But also, Barcelona beat Chelsea in the semis, and later United (2-0) in the final to become champions. In 2010-11, Real Madrid beat Tottenham (5-0) and Barcelona beat Arsenal (4-3) and then United (3-1) in the final, showing the Spanish teamsâ superiority. These results show us the equality of both leagues, and today, the superiority of Barcelona, with their style based on possession, which the Spanish National team uses, as well the younger teams, with good results in all competitions. Conclusions. Analysing the data, we see that the technical aspects, the systems of play and also the tactics, are becoming similar in both leagues due to the continental influence in the Premier League. We can also appreciate that the speed and intensity of play and the physical contact are the biggest differences between the 2 leagues. As far as the European meetings go, it is significant that continental referees give more free kicks and show more cards than in the Premier League (proved by the number of fouls and cards in La Liga) which can affect the performance of English teams in Europe. http://www.rafabenitez.com/web/index.php?act=mostrarBlog&id_entrada=16&idioma=in
Reading his interviews, he states he's ready to take a premier league job at another club, but is very settled in the wirral! I just wonder if he gets bored of waiting to get the liverpool job back he might just turn blue? Only kidding don't think he would stoop that low, but spurs maybe an option when AAary leaves! I'm sure that he's had some interrest already.
Someone had fronted the Arsenal idea but do you think with media perceptions and their influence of fairweather supporters they would accept him? Further to his blog, the fact that pace in the premier league rather than moderate could be the reason why England as a national team struggles. By the time international tournaments are taking place, most of the premier league based players really struggle after a whole season of too much sprinting. Therefore as other countries have players who are used to the much slower game ala international football, England tend to struggle as majority of the players are Premier League based.
Is it just me or did he not answer the question? Liverkopter I would accept him, a lot of people complain about Wenger's lack of tactical knowledge and we certainly wouldn't get that with Benitez. If the board did sack Wenger (which they won't) and employ Benitez i'm sure that although there might be some opposition the fans would give him a fair chance.
RVP speaking of Wenger my mate reckons he is a little bit naive when it comes to tactics. His argument is Walcot will never be a top Winger as his assets are pace and he can finish 1 on 1's. So Why not utilize him as a striker and make use of his pace for what its worth. If he slows down as we have seen the likes of Owen, he will not have nothing much left.
IF Rafa replaced Wenger then you would be getting one of the most hard-working and stute tactical managers in the game. Rafa will always carry LFC in his heart BUT you could rest assured that if he was your manager he would be doing his uptmost to defeat Liverpool on the pitch - he's too p[rofessional than to try and do otherwise. The jump would not be as vast as some may believe between he and Wenger. One of Rafa's priorities on joining Liverpool was to transform of youth schemes and a lot of our crop of new youngsters are testimony to the work that he put in-train. One thing you would need with Rafa though is a player-centered assistant manager - one who could both shout at and put an arm round players. Rafa'a man management skills are not always the best (a la Alonso). I don't see it happening after the backing your Board gave Wenger but if it did, it could possible be a good move for you.
One of the points that rafa does not make on his site is the difference in the copetitiveness of the two leagues. It is quite clear that the Premiership is more competitive than la Liga and this will effect the performance stats.
Messi Villa Higuain Benzema Ronaldo Cesc Xavi Alonso Banega J.martinez Ozil Pedro Iniesta Di maria Top clubs in the premier league i.e. Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man city, etc are dog sh...it in comparison could not live with either of these two teams
Yes but these are just two teams, the mid-table equivalent of La Liga would not compete with the likes of the PL.
I think we are playing him there to improve his all round game, do agree that he should be played up front though.
Wenger has struggled switching from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 in my opinion. He's never seemed to get the balance right since the switch in formations.
Wenger is stubborn pure and simple. He refuses to accept that times have changed since 2004 and you can't solely rely on youngsters. When you were playing attractive football, why did he not buy a finisher to put them away - Bent would have been great, but could you see Wenger buying him? When you were letting the goals in, why didn't he buy a better defender? When Fabregas left, why didn't he buy a good midfielder? He's just too stubborn to accept he needs to sign people and rethink his strategy.
We did buy Eduardo and in that season (2008) we should have won the title. However a mixture of him breaking his leg, contract disputes with senior players and the good old bottling it lead to us not being champions. Looking back that was the start of our stagnation under Wenger as we never learn't from/were able to fix our now inherent problems.
I like how this turned into a discusion on wenger!!! I've just had another thought!! What about Benitez for England manager!! Maybe i should stop thinking, but tactically he's gotta be better than anyone we have had in ages, altough it could ruin his career.
I can just imagine a Phli McNulty Blog on that one. At least we will not get the stupid arguments of Rafa wasting money on the England squad.
