Understanding statistics beyond the ball: how to interpret them in modern football

Football has changed. What used to be analyzed through intuition and experience is now complemented by precise data, detailed metrics, and technological analysis. In this era of transformation, statistics have become a key tool to understand, improve, and predict the performance of a team or player.

At SIA Academy, this evolution is lived from the inside. Thanks to the implementation of advanced technology like the VEO camera and the expertise of analysts like Alain and Rafa, players learn to see football from a new perspective—one where numbers tell stories and every pass, movement, and decision has measurable value.

Modern football is also a game of data

Nowadays, coaches, scouts, and physical trainers don’t just watch matches—they study them in depth. Statistics allow us to detect patterns, correct mistakes, evaluate true performance, and make more objective decisions. But it’s not just about having the data—it’s about knowing how to interpret it.

In a single match, dozens of variables can be recorded: completed passes, duels won, kilometers run, areas of influence, possession, shot efficiency, pressure exerted, among many others. The challenge is turning that information into useful knowledge for individual and collective improvement.

How do you interpret a statistic?

Not every number speaks for itself. A player who runs 12 km per match isn’t necessarily more efficient than one who runs 9 km. What matters is context: when does he run? Why? In which areas of the pitch? A statistic gains value when it’s related to playing style, tactical roles, and the team’s needs.

At SIA Academy, we teach players to understand the statistics they generate on the field, so they can critically analyze their performance and make smarter decisions in training and games. This data literacy is part of the holistic approach we promote: players who understand the game technically, tactically, and analytically.

The role of Alain and Rafa in performance analysis

Within SIA Academy’s structure, Alain and Rafa are key figures in data and video interpretation. As performance analysis experts, their mission goes beyond watching replays: their job is to transform recordings and statistics into educational tools for players and coaches.

With the help of the VEO camera, an automatic recording system that captures everything on the pitch from a privileged tactical view, Alain and Rafa prepare detailed reports after every match. These reports include personalized clips, key metrics, and specific recommendations.

“Video helps you see what the eye sometimes misses in real time,” says Alain. “And when we combine that with data, the learning multiplies.”

Players attend analysis sessions where they can watch their actions, compare situations, and understand how their decisions affect the team. This method strengthens not only the tactical side but also emotional intelligence, by encouraging self-criticism and continuous improvement.

VEO: the technology that boosts analysis

The VEO camera has revolutionized how matches are recorded and analyzed at academies like SIA. This system doesn’t require a cameraman, as it automatically follows the action, offering a full-field view of the game at all times.

But its real value lies in post-match analysis: the ability to tag plays, automatically measure statistics, and share specific clips with players speeds up the learning process. Moreover, the use of this technology allows players to build their own performance archive—useful for internal evaluations and to showcase themselves to clubs or scouts.

Statistics and player development: a key synergy

At SIA Academy, we don’t just develop footballers; we shape players who deeply understand the statistics. Knowing how to interpret a statistic, understanding its tactical meaning, and using it to adjust behavior on the field is a competitive advantage in modern football.

The combination of coaches with a developmental vision, expert analysts like Alain and Rafa, and technology such as VEO creates an environment where learning is constant and growth is measurable. This way, every player has the opportunity to improve based on real data—not just on feelings.

Modern football demands more than talent. It requires analytical capacity, tactical interpretation, and the ability to use available information wisely. At SIA Academy, that knowledge begins at the grassroots level, through intelligent use of statistics and tools like VEO, and with the support of professionals who know how to turn numbers into meaningful actions.

Alain and Rafa are the bridge between the data and the player, between what is seen and what is understood. Thanks to them and the academy’s approach, young footballers not only train to play better but to understand better what they do, why they do it, and how they can improve.

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