Match Movement Profiles Differences in Spanish Soccer Competitive Leagues According to Opposition’s Team Ranking: A Comparison Study

Abstract

(1) Background: This study analyzed the differences in match movement profiles according to opponent quality (i.e., match balance) in the professional Spanish soccer leagues over four consecutive seasons (from 2015/2016 to 2018/2019); (2) Methods: The ChyronHego® system was used to record competition movement data from all matches played in the First (Liga Santander; n = 1520) and Second Spanish Division (Liga Smartbank; n = 1848). The total distance (TD) and high-intensity running distance (TD > 21 km∙h−1) covered with and without ball possession (TDWP and TDWOP, respectively) were analyzed using a Linear Mixed Model, considering the opponent quality contextual variable; (3) Results: Results showed that teams covered a significantly greater TD when played against the lowest quality teams in L1 (p < 0.05), while in L2 teams covered a significantly greater TD when played against the highest quality teams (p < 0.05). Teams covered a significantly greater TDWP and TDWP > 21 km∙h−1 when playing against the highest quality teams in both L1 and L2 (p < 0.05). On the contrary, playing against the lowest quality teams in L1 versus the highest quality teams in L2 implied more TDWOP and TDWOP > 21 km⋅h−1 (p < 0.05); (4) Conclusions: The present study indicates that match movement profiles depend on contextually related variables.