Analysis of goals scored in Uefa tournaments

The aim of this study is to analyze the goals scored from the quarter-final stage onwards in the 2023–2024 season of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League in terms of technical and tactical variables, and to reveal the similarities and differences between the tournaments. A total of 95 goals were analyzed based on ten main variables, including goal minutes, assist zones and types, positions of the assisting players, goal zones, type of shot, number of touches before the goal, positions of the goal scorers, goal direction relative to the goalkeeper, and the nature of goal formation. The findings show that in all three tournaments, the majority of goals were scored during open play and without assists. In the Champions League, 39.5% of the goals were scored without any assists, highlighting the importance of individual skills and direct attacks. Assists from the central area ranked second in all three tournaments, indicating the central midfield's key role in playmaking. Similarly, ground passes were the second most common assist type in all tournaments, emphasizing the efficiency of fast and direct passing in modern football. Moreover, according to recent expected goals (xG) data widely used in football analytics, attacks developed through ground passes tend to have higher xG values than those involving aerial passes, reinforcing the effectiveness of ground-based combinations in goal-scoring. Assists from the central area ranked second in all three tournaments, indicating the central midfield's key role in playmaking. In terms of goal zones, goals scored from inside the six-yard box (Zone 1) were most frequent in the Champions League, while Zones 3 and 4 (just outside the six-yard box) were most productive in the Europa and Conference Leagues. Regarding types of finishing, instep shots were the most preferred in all leagues. While right-footed instep shots dominated in the Champions and Europa Leagues, left-footed instep shots were more prevalent in the Conference League. Direct shots were the most common pre-goal action across all tournaments, reflecting players' tendencies to make quick decisions in front of goal. Most goals were scored to the goalkeeper's lower right or left corners, while goals scored over the goalkeeper or from aerial positions were less frequent. Forwards were the top goal scorers in both the Champions League and Conference League, whereas wingers stood out in the Europa League. In conclusion, the findings indicate that tactical strategies vary by tournament level. While top-tier competitions favor organized, possession-based attacks, lower-tier leagues exhibit more direct and fast-paced offensive approaches. This study provides valuable insights for football coaches, analysts, and researchers, offering practical implications for match preparation and performance evaluation in elite football.