Are Defensive Metrics Underrated in Soccer?

13 June 2025

When we think about soccer greatness, our minds often rush to the dazzling dribblers, prolific goal scorers, or masterful playmakers. The likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kevin De Bruyne steal the headlines with their attacking brilliance. But what about the players who do the dirty work—the ones breaking up plays, making last-ditch tackles, and ensuring their team stays solid at the back?

In a sport driven by highlight reels and goal-scoring statistics, defensive metrics often take a backseat. But is that fair? Are we underrating the contributions of defensive players simply because we don’t have flashy stats to quantify their influence? Let’s dig deep and find out.

Why Do Defensive Metrics Get Overlooked?

The imbalance between attacking and defensive statistics isn’t accidental—it’s systemic. Soccer fans, analysts, and even award committees tend to favor attacking contributions because they’re easier to see and appreciate.

Think about it: Goals and assists are tangible. You can count them easily, and they often correlate directly with a team’s success. But how do you measure a perfectly timed tackle or a defender’s positional awareness that prevents a goal from even becoming a possibility?

The "Invisible Work" of Defenders

A great defender can neutralize an opponent’s best attacker without ever making a highlight-reel-worthy interception. They position themselves smartly, cut passing lanes, and force bad decisions from attackers.

Unfortunately, many of these actions don’t show up in basic stats. Sure, we have tackles, interceptions, and clearances, but these numbers don’t always tell the full story. A defender who rarely makes tackles might actually be the best in their position—simply because they anticipate danger so well that they never need to dive in.

Breaking Down Key Defensive Metrics

To properly evaluate defensive contributions, we need to go beyond goals and assists. Here are some underrated defensive metrics that should get more recognition:

1. Tackles and Interceptions

– Tackles: When a player successfully takes the ball away from an opponent.
– Interceptions: When a player cuts off a pass before it reaches its target.

Both of these showcase a player’s ability to disrupt the opposing team’s attack. But context is everything—a player making lots of tackles might be forced into those situations because their team is constantly under pressure.

2. Pressures and Recoveries

– Pressures: When a player applies pressure on an opponent to force a mistake.
– Recoveries: Regaining possession of the ball after a challenge or loose pass.

Pressures are particularly useful in high-intensity pressing systems, where the goal is to force turnovers in dangerous positions. Players like N'Golo Kanté and Fabinho excel in these areas, yet their contributions often go unnoticed because they aren’t scoring goals.

3. Blocks and Clearances

– Blocks: When a player prevents a shot from reaching the goal.
– Clearances: When a player removes the ball from a dangerous area, typically in their own penalty box.

These numbers are crucial, especially for center-backs and defensive midfielders. They may not be glamorous, but they’re often game-saving contributions.

4. Expected Goals Against (xGA) and Defensive Actions

Expected Goals Against (xGA) quantifies how many goals a team is expected to concede based on the quality of chances allowed. Teams with low xGA usually have well-organized defenses.

Advanced metrics like “Defensive Actions per 90 minutes” measure how active a defender is in preventing threats, helping to compare defensive players beyond just their final stat line.

The Case for Defensive Players Winning More Awards

When was the last time a pure defender won a major individual award? The Ballon d’Or, for instance, has historically been dominated by forwards and attacking midfielders. Fabio Cannavaro, who won in 2006, is one of the very few defenders to have achieved this feat.

This bias isn’t just limited to individual trophies—player valuations in the transfer market also reflect it. Attackers often command higher fees, even if a world-class defender might be just as crucial to a team’s success.

Compare This: Virgil van Dijk vs. Mohamed Salah

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk transformed their defense when he arrived in 2018. Before him, they were leaky at the back—after his arrival, they became a fortress. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah was setting goal-scoring records. Both were instrumental in Liverpool’s success, but who got more recognition?

Salah bagged individual awards and global acclaim, while Van Dijk finished second in the 2019 Ballon d'Or voting, despite arguably being Liverpool’s most vital player. That says a lot about how we view defensive excellence.

How Can We Give Defensive Metrics the Respect They Deserve?

It’s time to give defenders and defensive midfielders their due credit. But how can we do that?

1. Incorporate Advanced Analytics into Mainstream Coverage

Broadcasters and analysts should highlight advanced defensive metrics more often. Just as “Expected Goals” (xG) has become a staple in evaluating attacking players, stats like pressures, recoveries, and xGA should be more widely discussed.

2. Change the Narrative in Awards and Recognition

Award committees need to rethink their criteria. If a defender or defensive midfielder has a season of undeniable dominance, they should be considered just as much as a goal scorer. Fair is fair.

3. Educate Fans About Defensive Contributions

Fans need to see defensive work as just as valuable as attacking play. Just because a player doesn’t score goals doesn’t mean they aren’t winning matches. If anything, defenders often prevent losses before they happen.

4. Highlight Defensive Masterclasses More Often

Analysts and pundits should break down defensive performances with the same enthusiasm that they analyze hat-tricks and assists. A game-saving block should be celebrated just as much as a last-minute winner.

The Bottom Line

Defensive metrics in soccer are definitely underrated. Because they lack the instant gratification of goals and assists, they often go unnoticed. But the reality? Defenders and defensive midfielders are the backbone of any successful team.

Maybe it’s time we start celebrating the unsung heroes of the game—the ones who make sure their teams stay solid while others take the glory. The next time you watch a game, pay attention to that perfectly timed interception or a defensive leader marshaling the backline. You might just gain a new appreciation for the art of defending.