"The Role of the Match Analyst: Between Scientist, Tactician, and Problem Solver"

In modern football, the match analyst has become a decisive factor between victory and defeat. But what makes this role so unique? Simply put: The match analyst is the bridge between the data world and the pitch.

From Theory to Practice – A Match Analyst’s Daily Work My role involves several key areas:

• Video Analysis: Every detail of the game becomes visible—movement patterns, passing options, and error chains.
• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Large data sets are filtered and interpreted to highlight Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Presentation: The results are clearly communicated to the coaching staff, often using PowerPoint or Power BI reports.

The Challenges – Balancing Time Pressure and Precision In live analysis, time pressure is intense: decisions must be made in real time and communicated quickly to the coaching staff. The flood of data adds another challenge. The art lies in filtering through large data volumes and identifying the most relevant information.

Another key goal is to make complex tactical models easy to understand. Whether presenting to players or coaches, my mantra is clear: Keep it Simple. Clear and straightforward communication determines whether analyses lead to actionable decisions on the pitch.

Technical Tools as a Key to Success In my daily work, I rely on tools like StatsBomb,

StatsPerform, SkillCorner, Tableau, Power BI, and video analysis software to visualize player movement, tactical patterns, and KPIs. Classic programs like Excel and data queries through SQL are also part of my toolkit.

Match Analysis – Where Science Meets Tactics Why is the combination of data analysis and football tactics so essential? Because one cannot exist without the other. Data is meaningless if not embedded in tactical understanding. At the same time, tactics remain incomplete if they are not validated and supported by data.

The Added Value of a Match Analyst As a match analyst, I support the team in four key areas:

1. Opponent Analysis – How does the opposition play? Where are their weaknesses?
2. Player Development – Data highlights potential and helps players improve their performance.
3. Training Management – Data-driven planning ensures targeted improvements in training.
4. Strategic Planning – Keeping an eye on the team’s long-term development.

Skills a Modern Match Analyst Needs The demands on a match analyst are high:

• Data Analysis: Technological expertise and proficiency with modern tools.
• Tactical Knowledge: A deep understanding of the game—on par with a professional coach.
• Technological Competence: Mastering tools like Power BI, Tableau, and SQL.
• Communication: Even the best analysis is useless if it cannot be presented clearly.

Conclusion: The role of the match analyst is multifaceted—a balancing act between science and practice. Match analysis not only provides answers but also asks the right questions. It is the cornerstone for taking teams and players to the next level.

What do you think? Where do you see the biggest challenges in football analysis? How do you combine data and tactics?