Football analyst Michael Cox discusses the surge of goals in the Premier League this season, exploring reasons like goalkeepers' performance, VAR impact, and players' shooting skills. The podcast delves into set piece goals, tactical shifts, and defensive weaknesses in the league, analyzing exciting matches and managerial styles. Discussions on the significance of scoring the first goal in matches and a farewell to the season with plans for a women's soccer podcast.
VAR interventions impacted goal statistics, resulting in 33 goals awarded and 50 disallowed, reshaping game outcomes.
Teams adopting higher defensive lines have influenced increased goal rates, reflecting modern football strategies.
Deep dives
Trending High Premier League Goal Rate
The podcast highlights the significant increase in Premier League goal rates from 2.85 to 3.28 per game this season, emphasizing a trend of more goals being scored. The discussion delves into various factors contributing to this surge, including the rise in teams conceding and scoring 50+ goals, an increase in high-scoring games, and a record number of left-footed penalties.
Impacts of VAR and Rule Changes
The impact of VAR and rule changes on goal statistics is analyzed, showcasing how VAR interventions led to both goals awarded and disallowed. With 33 goals given thanks to VAR but 50 disallowed, the podcast scrutinizes the impact of these technological interventions. The discussion moves to the 103 goals scored beyond the 90th minute, reflecting a shift in stoppage time dynamics and its influence on goal rates.
Evolution of Defensive Approaches
The evolution of defensive approaches and high defensive lines is examined in relation to the higher goal rates, with teams defending on average 3 meters higher up the pitch than five to six years ago. The analysis explores the tactical changes reflecting modern football strategies and their impact on goal-scoring dynamics, ultimately reshaping how teams defend and attack.
Managerial Philosophies and Offensive Trends
The podcast discusses a uniform shift towards attacking philosophies among managers, leading to more high-risk build-up plays and defensive lines in the league. The analysis points to a trend where scoring first becomes crucial for teams relying on high-press tactics, impacting game outcomes and defensive strategies. Moreover, the alignment towards attacking-oriented playstyles necessitates teams to adapt and prioritize offensive output over defensive solidity in the modern game.
In this episode, The Athletic’s Michael Cox, Mark Carey and Liam Tharme join Ali Maxwell to talk about why this Premier League season has had an unbelievable number of goals.
The number of goals being scored in the top division of English men’s football is at its highest rate since the 1960s.
But what has caused this?
Are goalkeepers not as good as they used to be at keeping the ball out of the net?
What has VAR done to the game in the context of goals given or denied?
And are players shooting more and better?
This and much, much more on the final Tactics podcast of the 23/24 season.