Stats Analysis: Costly Errors (Leading to Goals)

The individual error is often the most frustrating aspect of a game for fans and managers alike, allowing your opponent to score through no real skill or exertion of their own. It is fair to say that they can be hugely costly in matches and therefore always play their part in where a title or battle against relegation is won and lost.

We have decided to analyse the number of errors that teams have made across Europe that have directly led to their opponents netting. We’ve look at the standout names at the top and bottom of the leaderboard, looking closely at the percentage of their overall goals conceded that could have been prevented were it not for individual slip-ups.

The results are somewhat remarkable, so we start with the sides that can only blame themselves for the high percentage of goals that they concede through costly mistakes.

Serie A

We begin in Italy, where second placed AC Milan have been the victim of their own downfall at times as they have attempted to stave off competition for the Scudetto from Juventus. The Rossoneri have been solid at the back for much of the season, but have conceded a whopping 37% (10) of their 27 goals against due to preventable errors from certain individuals.

The blame can't really be directed to one player in particular. With as many as 8 of Milan's side making costly errors which have led to a goal, keeper Abbiati and Thiago Silva, who many would consider to be the best defender in Serie A, making 2 apiece.

Their title rivals, on the other hand, have only conceded 11% of their European low of 18 goals against via mistakes, with 8 more individual errors leading to goals looking likely to cost Allegri's side the chance to retain their title.

However, the best record in this regard in Italy lies with Atalanta, who have overcome their 6 point deduction to all but secure safety. Excellent concentration levels have seen the newly promoted side concede just once through an individual error, from 36 against in total.

Premier League

The second highest percentage of goals conceded due to individual errors in Europe belongs to Arsenal. The 12 goals that they have conceded due to mistakes is the most across the top 5 leagues, and having conceded 43 in total, 28% of their goals against tally were easily preventable.

It is fair to say that much of the Gunners woes came in the early part of the season, but inconsistency has been a feature, to some extent, throughout the campaign. The lack of consistency in their centre-back partnership is perhaps the biggest factor. Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker have both made 2 errors leading to goals, though keeper Szczesny has been more culpable, making 3 costly errors.

Arsenal are only marginally worse in this regard than Liverpool and Chelsea (24%) who rank 3rd and 4th bottom in Europe respectively, while league leading United don't fare much better, with 19% of their goals against coming courtesy of player slip-ups.

The best record in England is held by West Brom, with only 2 of their 47 goals against (4%) down to defensive mistakes in comparison; a factor which may lead to a top half finish, with the Baggies just one point behind Liverpool.

Germany

Following the trend of blockbuster names making a hash of things at the back come Bayern Munich, who have conceded a higher percentage of goals due to their own inadequacies than any side in the Bundesliga. However this can be attributed, more than the aforementioned cases, to the fact that they have conceded very few goals, with 21 against the best defensive record in the league.

With 5 of those (24%) coming due to individual mistakes though, Heynckes will pin-point such errors as where the title was effectively won and lost in Germany, with retaining Champion Dortmund's statistics backing that up. Klopp's side have only made 5 errors leading to shots all season, though 3 those were netted, while the Champions League finalists have afforded their opponents 15 efforts at goal due to errors.

Hannover are well worthy of a mention here, as one of only two sides in Europe who haven't conceded a goal courtesy of an individual error all season, having let in 43 in total.

Spain

The picture in La Liga is similar to that in Germany, with Barcelona set to lose their stronghold over the league with only themselves to blame. They have conceded 6 of their 26 goals against due to costly mistakes from players, with 23% the highest in the country. It will now be up to Tito Vilanova to put things right next season.

Fierce rivals Madrid have conceded half as many goals from such errors, and having allowed 30 overall, so their figure is way down on Barca's at 10% and may well have won them the title. Interestingly, costly errors seem to be at more of a premium in the Primera than any other division, with Barca's 14 leading to shots for opponents again the worst representing a figure that would rank in mid-table in the other divisions.

Almost unbelievably, the soon to be relegated Racing Santander, who sit 11 points adrift of safety, are the other side along with Hannover that haven't conceded due to an individual error. This is all despite letting in 53 goals this season, which proves that rather than losing concentration at the back, they simply aren't strong enough when they are fully focused in that area and are too easy to break down.

Ligue 1

Finishing in France, there are more shocks in store, with league leading Montpellier conceding the highest amount of their goals against down to preventable errors. Having let in 31 goals this season, errors have accounted for 19% (6), and a lower figure could have seen them out of sight in their unexpected attempt for Le Championnat glory.

Their main rivals for such success, however, have only conceded 1 fewer goal due to an individual error, but having allowed 35 in total in comparison, the weight of their mistakes is down at 14%.

The best figure in Ligue 1 here perhaps surprisingly belongs to faltering Marseille, who have slumped to a terrible 10th after a run of 12 league games without a win. They have, however, only let in 2 of their 38 goals against due to individual errors (5%), suggesting their problems lay elsewhere.