# Searching for a Unique Style in Soccer

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1409.0308 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1409.0308/

## Key facts

- Cited by 5 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 1 Sep 2014.

## Built on by (most cited first, 5 of 5)

- [Automatic event detection in football using tracking data](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2202.00804/) (2022)
- [A Graph Neural Network deep-dive into successful counterattacks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2411.17450/) (2024)
- [Coach2vec: autoencoding the playing style of soccer coaches](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2106.15444/) (2021)
- [Predicting soccer matches with complex networks and machine learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2409.13098/) (2024)
- [Credit Attribution in Timestamped Soccer Networks Using Multivariate Hawkes Processes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2610.12775/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Is it possible to have a unique, recognizable style in soccer nowadays? We address this question by proposing a method to quantify the motif characteristics of soccer teams based on their pass networks. We introduce the the concept of "flow motifs" to characterize the statistically significant pass sequence patterns. It extends the idea of the network motifs, highly significant subgraphs that usually consists of three or four nodes. The analysis of the motifs in the pass networks allows us to compare and differentiate the styles of different teams. Although most teams tend to apply homogenous style, surprisingly, a unique strategy of soccer exists. Specifically, FC Barcelona's famous tiki-taka does not consist of uncountable random passes but rather has a precise, finely constructed structure.