Network analysis and football team performance: a first application

Purpose – This paper aims to illustrate how network analysis can be used to assess the group relationships within a professional football team, starting from the assumption that team results depend, at least in part, on the interaction between team members on the pitch. Elaborating an evaluation model of team relationships can help management in making conscious choices with regards to footballer assessment, selection and acquisition. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is based on a qualitative/quantitative approach. Data have been acquired through direct observation. UCINET 6.4 software was used to elaborate the data. Findings – An empirical observation was carried out according to the network analysis applicative process, through the analysis of a UEFA Champions League match. The objective was to illustrate the potential of network analysis to assess football team relationships and identify a system of quantitative key indicators, which can be used to elaborate a framework for evaluating the relationships in professional football teams. Originality/value – This model means that it is possible to analyse elements such as the group members’ attitude towards cooperation, providing an evaluation tool for membership relationships that have not yet been expressed through quantitative indicators, as these indicators are relevant in the development of football game tactics.