Defensive Actions in Crossing: Analysis of Top Spanish, English and German Elite Teams in 2022-2023 Season

The objective of this study is to analyze defensive efficacy and identify effective defensive actions against various types of crosses from different positions in elite football matches. Recordings and analyses were conducted on the top five teams from Germany (Bundesliga), England (Premier League), and Spain (La Liga) during the 2022-2023 season, covering 60 matches. A total of 1,428 crosses were examined to assess defensive responses. The study utilized the Wyscout platform, a personal computer (PC), and a tablet for analysis. Statistical methods included frequency and percentage ratio analysis, along with Crosstabs and the chi-square (x²) test to examine relationships between categories. Findings indicated that defensive line height significantly impacts defensive success across all crossing zones (p