Analysis of Goals Scored in UEFA Champions League by the Time Periods

Authors : Oğuz Gürkan, Göktuğ Ertetik, Sürhat Müniroğlu

Pages : 140-147

View : 19 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2017-09-30

Article Type : Research

Abstract :This study was carried out in order to determine the distribution of goals scored during last 10 years in UEFA Champions League (2006/2007 - 2015/2016) into 15 min. Periods, by circuit and season. The data used in this study were obtained from the official website of UEFA. All of the data obtained were recorded in SPSS 22 software, and then the frequency and percentage values were calculated and interpreted. In last 10 years, totally 3426 goals were scored in 1250 matches, and the mean number of goal per match was calculated to be 2.7. When these goals were analyzed in 15 min. periods, it was observed that 438 (12.78%) goals were scored between 1st and 15th minutes, 545 (15.91%) goals between 16th and 30th minutes, 492 (14.36%) goals between 31st and 45th minutes, 53 (1.55%) goals in 45+ minutes, 512 (14.94%) goals between 46th and 60th minutes, 581 (16.96%) goals between 61st and 75th minutes, 635 (18.53%) goals between 76th and 90th minutes, 158 (4.61) goals in 90+ minutes, 5 (0.15%) goals in 1st extra-time, 7 (0.20%) goals in 2nd extra-time. In conclusion, the finding that the goals were mostly scored in between 76th and 90th minutes and in the second half of competitions can be attributed to teams’ loss of concentration, increase of fatigue level, and to the fact that the losing teams play more offensive by risking their defense towards the end of match, and that they both scored and conceded higher number of goals during these minutes. 
Keywords : Football, Goal, Match Analysis, Champions League