September 29 – The CIES Football Observatory, using Wyscout data, has released a report ranking European clubs by their ‘dominance’. Not surprisingly, Barcelona, Bayern, Napoli, PSG and Man City are ranked as the ‘most dominant’ teams in their respective leagues.
The ranking criteria to achieve a ‘most dominant’ score is derived from the average performance ratios in four key game actions: shots, shots from within the box, passes, and passes into the opponent’s third- not by titles won.
The data, which spans 69 of the world’s top leagues, puts Bulgarian side Levski Sofia at the top of the overall ranking with an average dominance ratio of 3.31, inching ahead of national neighbours Ludogorets (3.26), who are the only other team to have a dominance ratio above three.
The European trend continues as Red Star Belgrade (2.99), Olympiacos (2.90) and Feyenoord (2.76) round out the top five most dominant teams in world football.
In regard to the top five leagues, Bayern Munich, who came in 6th place in the overall ranking, predictably top the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen in hot pursuit. Similarly, champions PSG reign over the Ligue 1 chart ahead of rivals LOSC Lille.
Napoli, despite their shaky Serie A form since the league restarted in August, beat league leaders Internazionale to claim the dominance title for the Italian division.
Rounding out the table’s top five league findings, La Liga champions Barcelona get one-up on arch-rivals Real Madrid, whilst Manchester City predictably top the Premier League dominance chart, with a struggling Chelsea surprisingly in second place.
Outside Europe, top ratios were achieved by several teams: Al-Hilal (2.29) and Al-Nassr (2.13) in the Saudi Pro League, Independiente Del Valle (2.27) in Ecuador. Other leading teams include RB Bragantino (1.45) in Brazil, River Plate (1.92) in Argentina, CF América (1.60) in Mexico, and New York RB (1.39) in the MLS.
CIES say that over and above the rank currently occupied by the clubs, the dominance ratio helps in most cases understanding the position that teams can realistically hope to achieve.
To see the full ranking, click here.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734933166labto1734933166ofdlr1734933166owedi1734933166sni@g1734933166niwe.1734933166yrrah1734933166