Many people believe that the role of a video analyst is primarily focused on watching matches and creating highlight reels. While watching matches is a part of the job, the role requires a comprehensive analysis that goes beyond surface-level observations. This job is even more complex in the birthplace of Total Football, which is perhaps the most influential style of play in the history of the game. By fielding 11 highly adaptable and technically skilled players who can constantly switch positions with each other, coaches are able to dominate possession and impress opponents with dynamic and intricate football. We spoke with Tjerk van Eggelen, the Head of Video and Data Analysis at Fortuna Sittard, about his daily tasks, how they use data to optimize their time, and gather insights to improve match preparation and analyze their opponents.

Is Dutch football still influenced by the iconic National Team of the 1970s? 

Which team in the Eredivisie this season most closely resembles that style of play?

I believe you can still see the strong influence within the youth academies. Playing from the build-up, emphasizing possession, and applying high pressure on the opponent’s build-up are key aspects. Firstly, speaking about the goalkeepers and defenders, their primary job is to build up and possess the ball, while secondly they are responsible for defending and preventing opponents from scoring.

This influence is also evident in the Eredivisie, where coaches often refer to possession statistics, sometimes attributing losses to perceived injustice based on possession metrics. Coaches often prioritize possession and playing a “beautiful” football. Teams adopting formations like 1-4-3-3 or 1-4-2-3-1 further exemplify this tendency. Notably, the criticism faced by the National Team for playing in a 1-5-3-2 formation underscores the enduring impact of Total Football. In terms of Eredivisie teams, Feyenoord under Slot and PSV under Bosz come to mind. However, the pinnacle of this style was perhaps seen in Ajax‘s Champions League campaign a few years ago, particularly their impressive away victory against Real Madrid.

Total football aims to create a fluid system where no outfield player is limited to a specific role. 

Could you provide more details on how you analyze both the collective tactics, the game dynamics, 

and the individual player performance?

We conduct a comprehensive analysis of both our opponents and our team over a period of time. We focus on simulating scenarios that closely resemble match situations we encounter or aim to create. Through this analysis, we identify changes we can make to enhance our game dynamics by maximizing the roles of our players during specific situations or periods. This analysis is integrated into our training sessions and adapted during matches.

Do you spend more time analyzing your own team or your next opponent? 

Is it important for you to adapt your playing style depending on your opponent?

We allocate more time to analyzing our opponents within the first team. It’s crucial for us to adapt our playing style to our opponents, considering factors like space occupation, pressing strategies, and field positioning.

Our own team consists of players with varying needs and levels of development. For instance, we have experienced players focused on mentoring younger teammates, requiring less developmental attention compared to our younger players.

However, in our academy, the focus is on player development, with match results seen as outcomes of this development.

How do you select a shortlist of key points to share with the coaching staff? 

Does it depend on the game or is it more related to your team’s playing style and individual skills? 

How do you effectively communicate this information?

We divide this into two segments. For our own players and team, key points are already formulated collaboratively with the coaching staff. Each player has specific development goals tailored to their individual skills. The team has a game plan for the next match that encompasses building upon successful aspects and addressing areas needing improvement for future development.

Regarding opponents, it depends on what we see in our data/video analysis. We analyze various aspects such as attacking, defending, transitions, and set-pieces, tailoring our focus based on their tendencies. For example, a team that mainly defends in its own half and waits for the “long ball / counter attack” moment will have more depth in defending and counter attacking than a team that prefers possession football and ball control.

Selecting the shortlist for me in previous years has been a natural process, involving communication with the coaching staff. It mainly revolves around asking the right questions and listening to the specific needs of the head coach. In the environments where I have worked, the head of analysis is considered a full member of the technical staff.

The use of technology is increasing in recent years, but the analyst’s expertise in interpreting data, identifying patterns, and making strategic recommendations is crucial. 

What are the main benefits of using the SportAnalytics platform to support your daily work?

The main benefit of the SportAnalytics Platform, as simple as it sounds, is saving time.

The Sportanalytics platform makes it incredibly easy for us to translate and analyze vast amounts of raw data, in particular optical tracking data, allowing us to derive actionable and valuable insights. What sets Sportanalytics apart is the fact that the platform is available shortly after the match, enabling me to quickly and efficiently analyze our performance. It provides me with all the tactical insights I need, which in turn helps me effectively prepare for our next opponent.

Sportanalytics truly gives us a competitive advantage, since we are able to make better-informed decisions and ultimately monitor and improve our overall performance.

What internal or external decisions have been influenced by using the SportAnalytics platform? 

How do you derive value from advanced key performance metrics?

The SportAnalytics platform significantly influences our day-to-day decision-making processes. Together with live analysis and video reviews, it informs every decision we make, providing clarity on areas needing attention or validation of our expectations. Advanced key performance metrics guide our strategic planning and player development initiatives, enhancing our overall performance on the field. Some examples follow.

• Player and team development: we use key performance metrics to analyze player strengths and weaknesses, design personalized training programs, and track progress over time to optimize performance.
• Game strategy: it provides insights into opponents’ playing styles and tendencies, allowing us to design game plans and make informed decisions.
• Player scouting: it helps identify talented players more accurately, providing a comprehensive overview on tactical, technical and physical skills.

Using advanced key performance metrics provides us with a competitive advantage in extracting insights from data while also enhancing communication: objective metrics can act as a universal language, fostering collaboration among coaches, players, management, and other stakeholders.