Steven Dabdoub
@stevendabdoub.bsky.social
⚽ Analysis and Methodology
Formerly: Real Madrid, Inter Miami, Dinamo Tbilisi, La Liga, CONCACAF
Formerly: Real Madrid, Inter Miami, Dinamo Tbilisi, La Liga, CONCACAF
This new structure will write many stories next summer — both good and bad.
At the end of it all though, at this level margins are thin, so the draw may or may not matter at all in 90 mins.
But I do think it will def. influence tactical approaches early in the tournament… 👀
At the end of it all though, at this level margins are thin, so the draw may or may not matter at all in 90 mins.
But I do think it will def. influence tactical approaches early in the tournament… 👀
November 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
This new structure will write many stories next summer — both good and bad.
At the end of it all though, at this level margins are thin, so the draw may or may not matter at all in 90 mins.
But I do think it will def. influence tactical approaches early in the tournament… 👀
At the end of it all though, at this level margins are thin, so the draw may or may not matter at all in 90 mins.
But I do think it will def. influence tactical approaches early in the tournament… 👀
4️⃣ Knockout Pathways
If your group is paired with:
a strong group ➜ tough Ro32
a weak group ➜ favorable Ro32
A group could be:
🇨🇦 , 🇦🇺 , 🇿🇦, 🇳🇿
or:
🇪🇸 , 🇺🇾 ,🇮🇹 , 🇪🇬
Depending on your draw, your Ro32 game could be from a relatively easier group, or much harder one.
If your group is paired with:
a strong group ➜ tough Ro32
a weak group ➜ favorable Ro32
A group could be:
🇨🇦 , 🇦🇺 , 🇿🇦, 🇳🇿
or:
🇪🇸 , 🇺🇾 ,🇮🇹 , 🇪🇬
Depending on your draw, your Ro32 game could be from a relatively easier group, or much harder one.
November 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
4️⃣ Knockout Pathways
If your group is paired with:
a strong group ➜ tough Ro32
a weak group ➜ favorable Ro32
A group could be:
🇨🇦 , 🇦🇺 , 🇿🇦, 🇳🇿
or:
🇪🇸 , 🇺🇾 ,🇮🇹 , 🇪🇬
Depending on your draw, your Ro32 game could be from a relatively easier group, or much harder one.
If your group is paired with:
a strong group ➜ tough Ro32
a weak group ➜ favorable Ro32
A group could be:
🇨🇦 , 🇦🇺 , 🇿🇦, 🇳🇿
or:
🇪🇸 , 🇺🇾 ,🇮🇹 , 🇪🇬
Depending on your draw, your Ro32 game could be from a relatively easier group, or much harder one.
3️⃣ 8 3rd-Place Teams Advance
This means that, 3 draws or 1 win, could be enough to reach the knockouts.
But depending on the draw, those “must-get” points could be against:
🇨🇦 ,🇯🇴 ,🇭🇹, 🇨🇼, 🇺🇸
…or:
🇪🇸 , 🇮🇹 , 🇫🇷, 🇩🇰
The difference is enormous.
This means that, 3 draws or 1 win, could be enough to reach the knockouts.
But depending on the draw, those “must-get” points could be against:
🇨🇦 ,🇯🇴 ,🇭🇹, 🇨🇼, 🇺🇸
…or:
🇪🇸 , 🇮🇹 , 🇫🇷, 🇩🇰
The difference is enormous.
November 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
3️⃣ 8 3rd-Place Teams Advance
This means that, 3 draws or 1 win, could be enough to reach the knockouts.
But depending on the draw, those “must-get” points could be against:
🇨🇦 ,🇯🇴 ,🇭🇹, 🇨🇼, 🇺🇸
…or:
🇪🇸 , 🇮🇹 , 🇫🇷, 🇩🇰
The difference is enormous.
This means that, 3 draws or 1 win, could be enough to reach the knockouts.
But depending on the draw, those “must-get” points could be against:
🇨🇦 ,🇯🇴 ,🇭🇹, 🇨🇼, 🇺🇸
…or:
🇪🇸 , 🇮🇹 , 🇫🇷, 🇩🇰
The difference is enormous.
2️⃣ Three Hosts in Pot 1
🇺🇸 USA
🇲🇽 Mexico
🇨🇦 Canada
are arguably Pot 2–3 teams usually, and with 3 hosts now in Pot 1 instead of 1, some teams in Pots 2–4 could face a host nation… or they could face Spain 🇪🇸 or Argentina 🇦🇷 instead.
🇺🇸 USA
🇲🇽 Mexico
🇨🇦 Canada
are arguably Pot 2–3 teams usually, and with 3 hosts now in Pot 1 instead of 1, some teams in Pots 2–4 could face a host nation… or they could face Spain 🇪🇸 or Argentina 🇦🇷 instead.
November 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
2️⃣ Three Hosts in Pot 1
🇺🇸 USA
🇲🇽 Mexico
🇨🇦 Canada
are arguably Pot 2–3 teams usually, and with 3 hosts now in Pot 1 instead of 1, some teams in Pots 2–4 could face a host nation… or they could face Spain 🇪🇸 or Argentina 🇦🇷 instead.
🇺🇸 USA
🇲🇽 Mexico
🇨🇦 Canada
are arguably Pot 2–3 teams usually, and with 3 hosts now in Pot 1 instead of 1, some teams in Pots 2–4 could face a host nation… or they could face Spain 🇪🇸 or Argentina 🇦🇷 instead.
1️⃣ UEFA Playoff Teams in Pot 4
Pot 4 is no longer just debutants or minnows.
You could maybe draw:
🇮🇹 Italy
🇩🇰 Denmark
…or you could draw:
🇯🇴 Jordan
🇨🇻 Cape Verde
The gap between the strongest and weakest Pot 4 could be WIDE
Pot 4 is no longer just debutants or minnows.
You could maybe draw:
🇮🇹 Italy
🇩🇰 Denmark
…or you could draw:
🇯🇴 Jordan
🇨🇻 Cape Verde
The gap between the strongest and weakest Pot 4 could be WIDE
November 26, 2025 at 4:20 PM
1️⃣ UEFA Playoff Teams in Pot 4
Pot 4 is no longer just debutants or minnows.
You could maybe draw:
🇮🇹 Italy
🇩🇰 Denmark
…or you could draw:
🇯🇴 Jordan
🇨🇻 Cape Verde
The gap between the strongest and weakest Pot 4 could be WIDE
Pot 4 is no longer just debutants or minnows.
You could maybe draw:
🇮🇹 Italy
🇩🇰 Denmark
…or you could draw:
🇯🇴 Jordan
🇨🇻 Cape Verde
The gap between the strongest and weakest Pot 4 could be WIDE
However, if you are interested to find out more or discuss more with me about how data can be used in coach recruitment feel free to reach out to me @stevendabdoub or via my website at tinyurl.com/stevendabdoub
*Based on data up to December 31, 2023.
*Based on data up to December 31, 2023.
Steven Dabdoub | Football Analysis and Strategy
Steven Dabdoub is a highly motivated, data-driven individual with a wealth of leadership experience seeking to make an impact on football through analytics and the development of sustainable, cost-eff...
tinyurl.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:09 AM
However, if you are interested to find out more or discuss more with me about how data can be used in coach recruitment feel free to reach out to me @stevendabdoub or via my website at tinyurl.com/stevendabdoub
*Based on data up to December 31, 2023.
*Based on data up to December 31, 2023.
Based on this as you can see out of the hundreds of coaches in my database, only 13 are shortlisted and can be evaluated on other metrics as seen. What is also interesting is that many of the coaches in this list are Dutch🇳🇱, which is a discussion for another day on football tactics and culture!
November 6, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Based on this as you can see out of the hundreds of coaches in my database, only 13 are shortlisted and can be evaluated on other metrics as seen. What is also interesting is that many of the coaches in this list are Dutch🇳🇱, which is a discussion for another day on football tactics and culture!
For example, here you can see attached part of my project where I decided to filter for coaches based on key aspects that are associated with success in the game today based on research which are:
- Penalty Area Entries
- Pressing
- Final 3rd Possession Wins
- Penalty Area Entries
- Pressing
- Final 3rd Possession Wins
November 6, 2025 at 3:09 AM
For example, here you can see attached part of my project where I decided to filter for coaches based on key aspects that are associated with success in the game today based on research which are:
- Penalty Area Entries
- Pressing
- Final 3rd Possession Wins
- Penalty Area Entries
- Pressing
- Final 3rd Possession Wins
However, as data use and databases grow, clubs have more information than ever at their hands to make better decisions - and it's up to if they chose to and how they choose to use this data.
November 6, 2025 at 3:09 AM
However, as data use and databases grow, clubs have more information than ever at their hands to make better decisions - and it's up to if they chose to and how they choose to use this data.
Without synergy between the board, players and coach - success is unlikely. So it's not about just using data to find coaches and make decisions but how you use data, which includes considering non-quantitative aspects such as leadership, emotional intelligence, communication etc.
November 6, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Without synergy between the board, players and coach - success is unlikely. So it's not about just using data to find coaches and make decisions but how you use data, which includes considering non-quantitative aspects such as leadership, emotional intelligence, communication etc.
🔎From a club perspective, decision-makers can use data to guide head coach recruitment, such as Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp which proved to be very successful. However, the key here is a clear club culture and strategy to guide principles and elements of the coach desired/required to fit the club.
November 6, 2025 at 3:09 AM
🔎From a club perspective, decision-makers can use data to guide head coach recruitment, such as Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp which proved to be very successful. However, the key here is a clear club culture and strategy to guide principles and elements of the coach desired/required to fit the club.
These data points and visuals cannot be analyzed isolated but need to be combined, cross-referenced and used with video for the best benefits to tell a game or a team's story and help to unpack football's chaos and complexity.
November 5, 2025 at 3:07 AM
These data points and visuals cannot be analyzed isolated but need to be combined, cross-referenced and used with video for the best benefits to tell a game or a team's story and help to unpack football's chaos and complexity.
Pass Networks show who connects, dictates and threatens in a team alongside their shape in possession.
Penalty Area Pass Maps reveal where teams are attack most and prove more dangerous alongside the position origin of these threats.
Penalty Area Pass Maps reveal where teams are attack most and prove more dangerous alongside the position origin of these threats.
November 5, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Pass Networks show who connects, dictates and threatens in a team alongside their shape in possession.
Penalty Area Pass Maps reveal where teams are attack most and prove more dangerous alongside the position origin of these threats.
Penalty Area Pass Maps reveal where teams are attack most and prove more dangerous alongside the position origin of these threats.
Dashboards like these help make sense of football’s chaos. They capture the complexity of single matches and help teams identify strengths and weaknesses.
November 5, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Dashboards like these help make sense of football’s chaos. They capture the complexity of single matches and help teams identify strengths and weaknesses.
In contrast to Madrid, Bayern were less dynamic but created much better chances, creating 1.45 xG from just 9 shots compared to PSG’s 2.01 xG from 25.
November 5, 2025 at 3:07 AM
In contrast to Madrid, Bayern were less dynamic but created much better chances, creating 1.45 xG from just 9 shots compared to PSG’s 2.01 xG from 25.
🔵 PSG vs Bayern Munich
PSG dominated (74% possession, 86.5% field tilt) but couldn’t break Bayern’s compact defensive block (20.7 PPDA).
PSG's pass network shows isolated wingers and limited central support.
PSG dominated (74% possession, 86.5% field tilt) but couldn’t break Bayern’s compact defensive block (20.7 PPDA).
PSG's pass network shows isolated wingers and limited central support.
November 5, 2025 at 3:07 AM
🔵 PSG vs Bayern Munich
PSG dominated (74% possession, 86.5% field tilt) but couldn’t break Bayern’s compact defensive block (20.7 PPDA).
PSG's pass network shows isolated wingers and limited central support.
PSG dominated (74% possession, 86.5% field tilt) but couldn’t break Bayern’s compact defensive block (20.7 PPDA).
PSG's pass network shows isolated wingers and limited central support.
Once again, it’s about taking advantage of moments, with the ball and creating + scoring quality chances, by attacking with cohesion, dynamism and intent — things that actually decide matches.
November 5, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Once again, it’s about taking advantage of moments, with the ball and creating + scoring quality chances, by attacking with cohesion, dynamism and intent — things that actually decide matches.
Shot maps, pass network, and penalty area pass maps highlight Liverpool’s balanced, dynamic attacks through Salah, Szoboszlai, and Wirtz, while Real Madrid leaned heavily on Vinícius Jr. down the left — often isolated.
November 5, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Shot maps, pass network, and penalty area pass maps highlight Liverpool’s balanced, dynamic attacks through Salah, Szoboszlai, and Wirtz, while Real Madrid leaned heavily on Vinícius Jr. down the left — often isolated.
Across 90 minutes, a single chance or moment can change a whole game and its result regardless of performance.
🔴 Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Liverpool had 37% possession, but 42% field tilt — suggesting their time on the ball was used more effectively and in more dangerous areas
🔴 Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Liverpool had 37% possession, but 42% field tilt — suggesting their time on the ball was used more effectively and in more dangerous areas
November 5, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Across 90 minutes, a single chance or moment can change a whole game and its result regardless of performance.
🔴 Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Liverpool had 37% possession, but 42% field tilt — suggesting their time on the ball was used more effectively and in more dangerous areas
🔴 Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Liverpool had 37% possession, but 42% field tilt — suggesting their time on the ball was used more effectively and in more dangerous areas
At the elite level, where the margins are even thinner, making those moments count was the storyline across two major UCL clashes today.
Research shows that over longer periods, possession strongly correlates with but doesn't necessarily cause success.
Research shows that over longer periods, possession strongly correlates with but doesn't necessarily cause success.
November 5, 2025 at 3:07 AM
At the elite level, where the margins are even thinner, making those moments count was the storyline across two major UCL clashes today.
Research shows that over longer periods, possession strongly correlates with but doesn't necessarily cause success.
Research shows that over longer periods, possession strongly correlates with but doesn't necessarily cause success.
💡 My Take:
A strong sporting director should be someone who:
- Understands underlying processes and appreciates a process
- Can balance short vs long term needs (including financial and sporting goals)
- Can use data to guide decisions
A strong sporting director should be someone who:
- Understands underlying processes and appreciates a process
- Can balance short vs long term needs (including financial and sporting goals)
- Can use data to guide decisions
November 4, 2025 at 2:32 AM
💡 My Take:
A strong sporting director should be someone who:
- Understands underlying processes and appreciates a process
- Can balance short vs long term needs (including financial and sporting goals)
- Can use data to guide decisions
A strong sporting director should be someone who:
- Understands underlying processes and appreciates a process
- Can balance short vs long term needs (including financial and sporting goals)
- Can use data to guide decisions
Frequent resets on projects and strategy carry both financial and sporting risk, although as does a coach not delivering results. However, if you pull the manager too early, it is impossible to form a stable identity, culture and strategy.
November 4, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Frequent resets on projects and strategy carry both financial and sporting risk, although as does a coach not delivering results. However, if you pull the manager too early, it is impossible to form a stable identity, culture and strategy.