Bundesliga Match Facts for more insights into the game

Since the start of 2020, the DFL and AWS have collaborated on numerous projects, including the use of data analytics. The partnership has enabled the live processing of data into innovative statistics, resulting in Bundesliga Match Facts powered by AWS. Each Fact is made available on broadcasts, through the Bundesliga platforms and channels, as well as the Bundesliga app.

Goal scoring probability and Expected Goals (xGoals)

The expected goal model shows the probability of scoring each goal. This can be used to measure the efficiency of a player or a team when scoring a goal. xGoals is given as a value between 0 and 1. The probability of a penalty, for example, is given as 0.77 or in other words 77 percent. For the first time this stat was in action on matchday 28 of the 2019-20 season. It was the first Bundesliga Match Fact.

Shot Efficiency

The shot efficiency match fact is based on the xGoals model. Every shot has a probability of scoring considering the distance and angle to the goal, pressure from oppositional defenders and the goalkeeper’s position. The shot efficiency is calculated by comparing the xGoals values with the number of goals scored. For example, Robert Lewandowski achieved a shot efficiency of +12,3 at the 2020-21 season because he scored actually more goals (41) than calculated by the xGoals model (28,7).

Average Position and Average Positions: Trends

The Average Position provides the average positions of the players on the pitch in real-time, helping fans to spot individual players and understand changes in play more easily. The data is calculated using around 3.6 million data points per game, which are collected and supplied by the DFL subsidiary Sportec Solutions.

In an enhancement of ‘Average Positions’, ‘Average Positions: Trends’ allows the formations used during particular phases of matches to be compared. This statistic can be measured when players are attacking or defending.

Speed Alert

The Speed Alert provides the maximum speed of the players in each game. In the live match updates, there is an update of the three fastest players in the game after the 30th and 90th minute of each game. There is also a ranking of the fastest players of the season.

Attacking Zones

This match fact visualizes the areas in which teams enter the final third of the field when attacking, dividing this area into four equally-sized vertical zones. It is given as a percentage.

Most Pressed Player

This statistic rates the pressure on a player in possession and determines how often they are put under significant pressure by the opposing team. It is possible to determine which players on a team are pressured the most by the opposition. This figure can be looked at in relation to their teammates or the opposition players.

Passing Profile

This match fact provides a deep insight into the passing game of an individual player or an entire team. Which direction is the ball most frequently passed in? How difficult is a pass? Does a player or the whole team play short or long passes? And what about the completion rate? This match fact answers all these questions and enables everybody to analyse the game better.

Set Piece Threat

This match fact quantifies a team’s threat posed by a free kick or corner by comparing the team to the league average. This BMF goes beyond distinguishing between goal or no goal but also evaluates the quality of the chance and the shot itself.

Skill

Every player in the Bundesliga brings their own specialised skills to the game that complements the players around them and makes their team stronger. The “Skill” Match Fact combines and compares the cumulative stats of every Bundesliga player to assess their skills across different categories. The stat features four player profiles: a “Finisher” excels at scoring goals in terms of number scored and efficiency in front of goal; a “Sprinter generates maximum speed on the pitch and does that more often than other players; an “Initiator” accumulates assists, and second assists, consisting of a high number of difficult passes; a “Ball Winner” is able to create a lot of turnovers from the opposing team by winning the ball in an aerial or ground duel, or intercepting an opponent’s pass. 

Pressure Handling

This Match Fact highlights players who are performing exceptionally well when under pressure by the opposing team. The central metric is the escape rate, which highlights how often a player breaks out from these high-pressure situations while keeping possession of the ball for his own team – namely through dribbles, passes, goal kicks or by being awarded a set piece.

Win Probability

This Match Fact emphasises notable swings in the win probability of a team throughout the 90 minutes of game play. The Match Fact is based on action from the game, including the difference in goals, the time remaining, and other relevant team statistics. It uses several existing Bundesliga Match Facts, such as “Expected Goals”, “Skill”, and “Set Piece Threat” from the live match, as well as statistics from previous games. A graphic alerts fans to the significant change in the win probabilities as a result of significant match events such as goals, sending-offs or substitutions.

Keeper Efficiency

Keeper Efficiency is based on xSaves, which is derived from the xGoals model. xSaves indicates the probability of a shot on goal being saved. Each shot is analysed individually, with regard to the trajectory of the ball, the distance of the striker, the angle to the goal, and the precise position of the goalkeeper. This data is compared with data from around 20,000 past shots on goal since the 2018-19 Bundesliga season. Based on this, the probability that the goalkeeper will make a save is calculated in real time. Keeper Efficiency is the cumulation of individual values: If the number of successful saves a goalkeeper makes in a certain period exceeds the cumulative xSaves value of shots on their goal, this goalkeeper has a positive Keeper Efficiency.

Ball Recovery Time

This Match Fact calculates with accuracy down to the tenth of a second how quickly a team recovers the ball after losing it. Algorithms automatically track which team is in control of the ball and, when the team loses possession, it measures how long it takes them to recover the ball.

Shot Speed 

Shot Speed is a decisive factor in overcoming the goalkeeper to score a goal. This Bundesliga Match Fact is based on live tracking data: Shots on goal are measured by evaluating the position data of the ball. Exceptionally high speeds will be highlighted in the live broadcast directly after an individual shot. Furthermore, rankings will show which players have achieved the highest shot speed on a match day or during a season. The new Match Fact also highlights the performance of goalkeepers when they deflect a shot at high speed.

Find more insights into the Bundesliga Match Facts in our “Innovations & Technology” playlist on YouTube.