Under the spotlight: Showcasing our new IMPECT Packing Zone visualisations
With Release Xavi live and out in the wild, one big feature we’ve been teasing over the last few weeks is now available with it — Detailed Packing Zone visualisations.
We’re admittedly rather excited about this, as we feel like they highlight the power of the Twenty3 x IMPECT partnership — where you combine the best of their data with the best of our ability to turn that data into something meaningful.
Packing Zones themselves are one of the more unique parts of IMPECT’s data and our Toolbox is currently the only place you can generate viz with that extra, more detailed view.
So, to celebrate these now being available, we thought we’d give them a spin with a little showcase from various matches across the Premier League so far, starting with Liverpool’s dismantling of Manchester United a few weekends ago…
Szoboszlai’s movement sinks Red Devils
Dominik Szoboszlai’s ability to move between the lines and get on the ball in dangerous positions was evident throughout Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over the Red Devils.
We can see this by looking at a map of his Receptions Between the Lines at Old Trafford — showcasing how he picked the ball up an eye-catching eight times in space just outside the box, with seven of those in central areas.
The below visualisations also highlight the difference that detailed zones make, when it comes to analysing Szoboszlai’s overall game.
They provide a much clearer picture of his ability to find space in those dangerous central zones inside United’s half, which can be somewhat lost in the less detailed counterpart.
Diaz’s dribbles down Cherries
Continuing the theme of Liverpool’s potent attack, no Premier League player is matching the dribbling ability of Luis Diaz this season.
The Colombian winger tops the charts when it comes to Bypassed Defenders By Dribbles, doing so 12 times across the campaign.
For context, that is three more than second-place Noni Madueke (9) and double the number of Tyler Dibling, Mohammed Kudus, Adama Traoré and Eberechi Eze in joint-third (6).
Diaz almost exclusively tends to take on defenders by driving at them down the left flank, as the following visualisation indicates.
It is certainly yielding results, though. After all, he has already struck five times in 2024/25, with two of those goals coming in the 3-0 triumph over Bournemouth last weekend.
Liverpool’s No.7 bypassed defenders via dribbles six times in that match — twice that of next-best player Ryan Gravenberch (3).
You can see exactly where on the pitch his runs were successful and unsuccessful, as well as where opponents were bypassed, with the help of our new IMPECT carry maps (below).
Midfield magician Maddison
Diaz wasn’t the only player who caught the eye on Matchday 5, with James Maddison’s sublime display against Brentford worthy of some attention.
Spurs’ creator-in-chief netted the final goal in his side’s 3-1 win, to top off an excellent performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
No player bypassed more opponents through low passes than the 27-year-old, who did so a notable 36 times on Saturday.
Significantly, 11 of those passes saw Maddison take Brentford defenders out of the game, as he continually looked to play balls in behind the Bees’ rearguard.
That ambitious distribution is reflected in the below pass map, which shows his successful and unsuccessful pass attempts into the final third.
The England international enjoyed an impressive success rate from deeper areas, especially on the left flank and centrally in his own half.
Tottenham supporters will be hoping he can continue hitting the same heights in the weeks ahead, starting with their upcoming trip to Manchester United on Sunday.
If you would like to find out more about the Twenty3 Toolbox, or our partnership with IMPECT, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.