Missing pieces, new patterns: the impact of association football international call-ups on team offensive and defensive performance indicators
Contrary to expectations, international absences coincided with a more possession-oriented style and enhanced attacking output, without compromising defensive outcomes. Effects between PRE and POST were modest, suggesting tactical adaptations during absences can sustain or even improve offensive efficiency. Coaches may leverage forced rotations to explore possession-based structures that preserve defensive stability.
Authors
- Rafael Ballester Lengua
- Diogo Coutinho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6605-9505)
- Bruno Travassos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2165-2687)
- Nuno Mateus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7275-9161)
- Bruno Gonçalves (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5644-3749)
- Sigrid Olthof (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7660-8448)
- João Campos
- Bruno Figueira
Institutions
- University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (PT)
- University of Beira Interior (PT)
- University of Évora (PT)
- Valencia Catholic University Saint Vincent Martyr (ES)
- Fédération française de cardiologie (FR)
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (BR)
- Health and Human Development (2HD) Research Network (CM)
- Instituto Superior da Maia (PT)
- Liverpool John Moores University (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Psychology
- Published
- 2026-01-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1697146
- Primary Topic
- Sport Psychology and Performance
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia