How High-Possession Teams Create High-xG Shots: Tactics For Teams That Dominate

Scoring goals is the most difficult part of the game, so the ability to consistently create high-quality opportunities is extraordinarily valuable.

Thats the topic of todays tactical theory analysis.

Were going to examine how possession-dominant teams create high-xG shots.

The first topic of this tactical analysis focuses on creating chances through a teams defensive tactics before turning our attention to in-possession approaches.

Well look at how these teams use both the wings and the central spaces to create quality scoring opportunities.

This is the first in a series on high-xG shot creation.

Setting a season average of 0.14 xG per shot as the minimum standard, we’ve identified clubs that range in possession percentage yet still produce top-end average shot quality.

As we progress through this tactical theory series, we’ll identify patterns that produce the highest-quality opportunities on goal.

Defending Tactics As A Playmaker

The first topic we’ll address is the way these possession-dominant teams defend.

Its not quite the in-possession angle one would expect, but the press is widely regarded as a playmaker for possession-dominant teams.

Thats both in their structured out-of-possession approach as well as the way they counterpress.

Defending serves to create chances.

Theres no better place to start than with a quality opportunity generated by the high press.

Well head to Serie A for the first example, looking at a well-executed press from Atalanta.

With Monza trying to play from the back through their goalkeeper, one of their midfielders dropped deep to receive the ball.

As he checked towards the ball, he had to lose his mark.

While he did initially have success, Atalanta’s man-marking midfield means the defender wasnt far behind.

As the Monza midfielder took the bait and faced forward on the half turn, he was immediately met with an opponent in his face.

He tried to dribble free but was tackled on the play, leading to a shot from near the penalty spot with little pressure from the recovering centre-backs.

In the Atalanta example, the high press leads to a recovery of the first pass forward.

PSG’s