When it comes to possession, many of us expect that the top teams in any given league will be the more ball-dominant.
Stronger sides are expected to see more of the ball, especially as so-called lesser teams will set up in a more defensive way and look to play on the counter.
However, when we examine the Belgian Pro League, while we still see the stronger sides at the top of the possession table, we also see Sint-Truiden, a team that finished 12th, ranked amongst the top sides in the league.
Yet when we examine the broader data, questions arise as to what Sint-Truiden does with their possession.
How does a team with that much of the ball have a -17 goal difference?
They see almost as much of the ball as teams like KRC Genk, who qualified for the UEFA Champions League last season and faced off against Liverpool in the group stages.
Changes have already begun at the club.
Former EFL and Rangers defender Kevin Muscat was brought in as the manager for the 2020/21 season.
Whether he will continue this possession-based football will be interesting to follow.
This tactical football analysis, in the form of a scout report, will evaluate why Sint-Truiden have not been successful despite possessing the ball frequently during the campaign.
This analysis will examine the tactics employed in both an attacking sense, as well as the reasons behind their 50 conceded goals and inability to capitalize on their possession dominance to improve in both areas of the game.
The final section will examine where Muscat and the club, in general, need to focus to improve results on the pitch.
Sint-Truiden With The Ball
Sint-Truiden typically line up in a three-at-the-back formation, usually in a 3-4-1-2.
While they do use wing-backs in this formation, 39% of their attacks are focused in the central areas.
Below is the possession table for the Pro League, with Sint-Truiden sitting in fifth place with an average of 52.7% per 90 minutes.
They average the fourth-highest duration of possession with 14.9 seconds.
This all builds a picture of a team that likes to spend time on the ball and work it centrally in order to create chances.
They are the fifth-highest passing team, with an average of 412.62 per 90 at an accuracy of 84%.
In terms of passing style, they play the second fewest long passes in the league, with just 40.24 per 90.
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