Reading defensive metrics
Defensive counts are noisy because they depend on opportunity. Always normalise by opponent possession and team shape.
What you will learn
- High tackles can mean elite duelling or simply many duels offered — check tackle success rate.
- Possession-adjusted defensive metrics are more comparable across teams.
- Defensive output for forwards is often about pressures, not interceptions.
Counts vs rates
A team that defends deep concedes more chances and tackles per 90; a press-heavy team racks up interceptions higher up the pitch.
Always pair counts with success rate (tackles won / tackles attempted) and team possession share.
When low numbers are good
Elite reading of the game can lower tackle counts because the player intercepts before a duel is needed.
Look at blocked passes and interceptions, not just tackles.