One of the most important factors for winning football matches is to score goals. At the field level, one important attack strategy is to use the gap between the opposing defender (DF) and midfielder (MF) (DFMF gap). An attack strategy using the DF-MF gap is one of the challenges of Japanese football, but little research on this strategy has been done and its effectiveness is currently unknown. In the present study, therefore, using notational game performance analysis, we aimed to clarify the effectiveness of attacks using the DF-MF gap, and the characteristics of this strategy in the J League (JL) and the German Bundesliga (BL). The sample consisted of a total of 20 games: 10 in the JL (2015 season) and 10 in the BL (2015/2016 season). For statistical analysis, independent t test and chi-squared tests were conducted. In both the JL and BL, it was observed that for attacks using the DF–MF gap, the frequencies of shots, penalty area intrusions, and scoring were higher than for side attacks, suggesting that attacks using the DF–MF gap were more effective. Furthermore, a lower ratio of attacks using the DF-MF gap was observed in the JL than in the BL. Also, the success rate of play in the DF-MF gap and the occurrence rate of play in a “forward” direction was significantly lower for the JL than for the BL. These observations suggest that the difference between the JL and BL lies in the frequency of attacks using the DF–MF gap and in play within it. One of the challenges for the JL is to increase the frequency of play that carries the ball forward into the DF–MF gap without losing possession, in order to increase the occurrence rate of play in that area, and eventually the success rate of attacks using the DF–MF gap.
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