Data-Driven Science in Sports, Why is Football Declining?

Paks coach György Bognar is the main proponent of this view in Hungarian football, who says that one should not delve too deeply into the world of statistics, it is much better to believe one's eyes.

“Once, there were people who called themselves experts and started talking about the number of corners and throw-ins in the first half. I didn’t understand what was happening, because the viewer can see how many corners there were in the match. Those who don’t understand football need statistics, they quote numbers and support their opinion.” Bognar said in an interview with Origo Sport in 2021.

Modern Football Through the Eyes of a Data Analyst

In his interview with Origo Sport, Gergely Kobani, a prominent player observer and analyst for MTK Football Team in NB I, revealed that he believes it is okay to have too much data in football these days, because it all depends on what and how much of it we filter out.

“Among the statistical data that studies the sport more deeply, the expected goals index is now used in many broadcasts. If my memory serves me correctly, in 2016 I was one of the first to use this data and tell about it during a Hungarian match. TV broadcasts, even in relation to Cristiano Ronaldo’s positions, I know that there is a group of fans who are afraid of this index like the devil is afraid of incense smoke, but I think that if it remains at a normal level and explains why it is important, I think it is not harmful in the case of TV broadcasts, only very basic and well-interpretable data should be mentioned, but it is necessary” “The specialist, who also works as a TV commentator, told our newspaper,” he said.

Kobani also spoke about how although statistical data is useful, it does not always show a realistic picture in itself, but according to him, the enjoyment of the game is not affected by the numbers. He gave the example of the Spanish national team that managed to reach the European Championship finals with a good performance.

“Indicators should always be included in the bigger picture. For example, until forward passes are examined, more bizarre data emerges. There was a season in the Premier League where an inside defender who wasn’t very good on the ball was the best player.” The player who passed the ball more accurately – of course because he wasn’t pressing and passing horizontally.

If we just look at the European Championship, the Spanish were able to play well and spectacularly, while the opponents were suspected of also videotaping them. So it is not primarily the use of data that makes the match boring or predictable, but the presence of a risk-averse coach on the bench. – Tell.

“I have been following football for almost three decades, and during this time I have seen that this sport is quite cyclical. The same critical voices came after the Greeks won the European Championship in 2004, or when there were fewer goals in the World Cup, but also when Atlético Madrid reached the finals and won the Spanish Championship against Barcelona and Real Madrid, who played more exciting football. Those who have the ball a lot and develop high-quality situations will continue to enjoy the matches. It depends on the behaviour of the coach or captain on the bench, there will be bad matches.” One of them said The most famous Hungarian football analyst.

Although thanks to the development of technology and science, analytics will certainly be an integral part of football in the future, – whether you like it or not – but in any case this should be secondary, because the essence is the love and magic of the game. And this is embodied in the players and on the pitch.

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