Sporting is the club in the world with the best ratio between shots made and conceded in the “dangerous zone” of the field, in this case the central rectangle of the area, according to the most recent weekly report from the Football Observatory (CIES), published this Wednesday -fair and which analyzes hundreds of teams from 63 leagues around the world.
With 6.91 shots made in this area more than those conceded to their opponents, Sporting, coached by Ruben Amorim until last Sunday, has the best record in absolute terms. There are, on average, 9.09 shots made from the so-called “dangerous zone”, for 2.18 shots conceded to opponents.
The analysis includes all games played up to this Tuesday, November 12th, relating to the current season or the last season completed in their respective leagues.
Benfica completes the top-10 worldwide, with a positive ratio of 5.17 times more shots made in that area than conceded: there are, on average, 7.17 made, for 2.00 conceded. Shanghai Port (China) and Bayern Munich (Germany) complete the world podium.
The top-20 at world level (club; average difference between shots made and conceded; average of shots made; average of shots conceded; difference in points added compared to those expected taking into account the shots):
FC Porto appears 33rd on this list, with a ratio of 3.70 more shots taken than conceded (7.40 taken on average, to 3.70 conceded). Note also for Santa Clara, which is 22nd on this world list, with a positive ratio of 4.10 (5.70 shots made, 1.60 conceded). Sporting, Benfica, Santa Clara and FC Porto are, even by a notable margin, the four best teams in the Portuguese League in this aspect. In 5th place comes Sp. Braga, with a positive ratio of 1.18 (4.91 shots made, 3.73 conceded).
In the Portuguese II League, the three best teams in this study are União de Leiria (+1.73), Felgueiras (+1.45) and Paços de Ferreira (+1.20).
Taking into account Sporting’s records, and even though it is true that the Premier League is not the Portuguese League, Ruben Amorim has a lot of work to do in Manchester in this regard. Just looking at Premier League clubs, Manchester United has the 10th best record, with a positive ratio of 0.46 (4.73 shots per game on average, for 4.27 conceded. The most positive difference is recorded by Manchester City and Leicester appears last.
In the remaining major leagues in Europe, in Spain Barcelona comes in 1st and Valladolid in last, in Germany Bayern Munich in 1st and Bochum in last, in France Monaco in 1st and Montpellier in last position and, in Italy, it is Atalanta that has the best difference, with Monza having the worst record.
The study, based on data from Wyscout, also presents the difference between points achieved and expected, according to a statistical model based on the difference between these shots made and conceded in the dangerous zone, per game and per club. At a global level, Aberdeen, from Scotland, has the best relationship, with 1.58 points more per game than expected, taking into account shooting statistics.
In Portugal, in the League, Famalicão has the best ratio of points obtained in relation to shots (+0.40 points), followed by FC Porto (+0.39) and Sporting (+0.35). In the II League, it is Penafiel (+0.66), followed by Tondela (+0.65) and Benfica B (+0.63).
Sporting Lisbon’s Shot Statistics: A Laugh or a Lesson?
So here we are, folks! Sporting Lisbon has done the impossible: they’ve
gone through the data and emerged with the best ratio of shots made
versus conceded in the “dangerous zone.” And who wouldn’t want to know
what that actually means? I thought the “danger zone” was just a Bruce
Springsteen song! But evidently, it’s also the place where the goals
either happen or don’t happen—rather like my dating life.
Let’s break it down. Our friends over at the Football Observatory (yes,
they’re like the Oxford Dictionary of football stats, sans the whimsy)
claim that Sporting managed an impressive 6.91
more shots in the danger zone than they conceded. This is like
scoring all the brownies at a bake sale and only ever having to give one
back! Imagine that, 9.09 shots made and only 2.18 conceded. It’s almost
like the opposing teams are using a pair of binoculars to watch the game
rather than actually participating!
And let’s not be shy about our Portuguese neighbours, either. Benfica
comes in at a respectable tenth in global rankings, with a ratio of
5.17. It’s almost as if Portugal has
decided, “Why waste time with mediocre performance?” Perhaps they’ve
taken a collective vow to make football fun again, one shot at a time.
Meanwhile, teams like FC Porto and Santa Clara are also packing quite
the punch, proving that Portugal is the place where shots are raining
down like confetti at a child’s birthday party—everybody wants in on it!
And then we turn our eyes across the puddle to the Premier League.
Poor Ruben Amorim, he’s gone from managing cats to taking care of
dogs with a little less bite—sorry, Manchester United! Ranked a
mere 10th with a positive ratio of just
0.46, they’re registering about
4.73 shots while conceding nearly the same. The real question remains:
why have Manchester players not gotten the memo that football is meant
to be played in the opponent’s half rather than just outside their own
box?
The fun doesn’t stop there! In Spain, it’s Barcelona at the top
and Valladolid at the bottom, while Germany sees Bayern Munich
leading the charge—guess they didn’t receive the memo about sharing!
Meanwhile, it’s a whole mix in the other leagues, all proving that when it
comes to danger zones, some clubs make a lot of noise, while others barely
whisper.
So, what have we learned? Sporting Lisbon tops the charts not simply for
their shots but also for their capability to score while maintaining a fortress in
the danger zone—so much that they could probably charge entrance fees for
opposing teams. But let’s be honest, it’s all about the points at the end of
the season, and that’s the beauty of football. We’re just here for the rollercoaster
ride of matches, goals, and bewildering statistics!
In summary, just like a well-aimed free-kick, these statistics are perfectly
aimed at showing us why we love football in the first place. Now if only they could
apply the same *shot ratio* to our social lives, we might get somewhere.
Until then, just raise a toast to Sporting Lisbon; may your shots always find the net!
Sporting has been highlighted as the club globally with the most impressive ratio of shots made compared to those conceded within the “dangerous zone” on the field—the central rectangle of the penalty area. This evaluation comes from the latest weekly report released by the Football Observatory (CIES) this Wednesday. The report meticulously analyzes performance metrics from hundreds of teams across 63 leagues worldwide.
With an astonishing average of 6.91 more shots taken within this critical area than those allowed to their opponents, Sporting boasts the best overall record. On average, the team generates 9.09 shots from the so-called “dangerous zone” while conceding only 2.18 shots to opponents. This data underscores the team’s offensive strength and defensive prowess.
Benfica secures a spot in the top-10 clubs worldwide, showing a positive shooting ratio of 5.17 times more shots taken than conceded. They average 7.17 shots made to only 2.00 conceded. Notably, Shanghai Port from China and Bayern Munich from Germany round out the prestigious podium, making it clear that elite competition exists on a global scale.
The top-20 clubs worldwide, ranked by their average difference between shots made and conceded, showcase the following: (club; average shot difference; average shots made; average shots conceded; point difference compared to expected points based on shots).
In the broader context of Portuguese football, FC Porto ranks 33rd on this significant list, maintaining a ratio of 3.70 more shots taken than conceded, averaging 7.40 shots made against 3.70 conceded. Santa Clara ranks slightly higher at 22nd, with a commendable positive ratio of 4.10, making an average of 5.70 shots while conceding just 1.60. Collectively, Sporting, Benfica, Santa Clara, and FC Porto emerge as the top four clubs in the Portuguese League when examining these critical statistics. Sp. Braga follows closely in 5th place with a positive ratio of 1.18, averaging 4.91 made shots versus 3.73 conceded.
Focusing on the Portuguese II League, the leading teams identified are União de Leiria with a +1.73 ratio, Felgueiras at +1.45, and Paços de Ferreira with a +1.20 difference. Such statistics reflect the competitive nature of both leagues in Portugal.
Considering Sporting’s outstanding records, it must be noted that while the Premier League showcases different dynamics than the Portuguese League, Ruben Amorim faces significant challenges in Manchester. Specifically, within Premier League statistics, Manchester United demonstrates the 10th best performance, holding a positive ratio of 0.46 (averaging 4.73 shots per match, compared to 4.27 conceded). Manchester City leads this metric, while Leicester City finds itself at the bottom.
Across other prominent European leagues, the statistics tell intriguing stories: in Spain, Barcelona leads, whereas Valladolid trails; in Germany, Bayern Munich is the frontrunner while Bochum sits last; in France, Monaco shines at the top with Montpellier lagging behind; in Italy, Atalanta claims the best differential, in contrast to Monza’s struggles at the bottom.
The comprehensive study, drawing from Wyscout’s extensive data, also delves into the crucial differences between points earned and expected points. This analysis is based on the observed shooting statistics from the dangerous zone of the pitch. Remarkably, Aberdeen from Scotland tops the global ranks, outperforming expectations with a surplus of 1.58 points per game based on their shooting statistics.
Within the Portuguese Liga, Famalicão leads with the best ratio of points achieved against expected based on shots taken (+0.40 points). They are closely followed by FC Porto at +0.39 and Sporting at +0.35. Meanwhile, in the II League, Penafiel sets a high standard with a +0.66 point differential, trailed by Tondela at +0.65 and Benfica B at +0.63.
Ferreira at +1.34. These statistics demonstrate the competitive nature of Portuguese football across both the top and second divisions.
the latest report from the Football Observatory underscores the exceptional performance of Sporting Lisbon, not only highlighting their offensive capabilities but also showcasing their defensive strength. With these impressive statistics, it is clear that Sporting stands out as a formidable force, setting a standard that other teams, both in Portugal and globally, aspire to meet.
As fans, we should relish the rollercoaster of emotions that football brings us, supported by these intriguing stats that reflect the excitement of the game. Whether it’s a goal or a missed opportunity, the thrill lies in witnessing our teams navigate the dangers and opportunities that the beautiful game offers. Cheers to Sporting Lisbon and all teams striving to maintain their shot ratios in the ever-evolving world of football!
