In its weekly newsletter, the Football Observatory (CIES) highlighted the back pass percentages for each team. And the results concerning residents of Ligue 1 are sometimes surprising.
Who plays the baballe the most in Ligue 1? Through its latest study, the Football Observatory provided a rather unexpected response. Indeed, the CIES has calculated the percentage of passes to the back for each team. And it’s Paris Saint-Germain that leads the way with a total of 38.4% of passes to the back! Next come OGC Nice (38.2%) and Stade Rennais (37.4%) to complete the podium. We understand that the teams that fall back the most are basically those who are used to confiscating the ball from their opponents. Unsurprisingly, we therefore find at the bottom of the ranking formations with a much more direct game.
It is indeed AS Saint-Etienne and FC Nantes, with only 32.5%, who make the fewest passes towards their own goal. Just ahead of Lorient and Metz, also tied with 33%. Note that Olympique Lyonnais (34.6%) and Olympique de Marseille (35.5%) are relatively close. We also note that these two competitors make fewer passes towards their own goal than Lille (36%) and Monaco (36.4%). But all the residents of Ligue 1 remain quite distant from the European master in the matter, namely Manchester City who make 41.6% of their passes to the back! No wonder when you know the philosophy of manager Pep Guardiola. But it is clear that retreating does not prevent the Citizens from crushing everything in their path …