Two new Bundesliga Match Facts powered by AWS: Keeper Efficiency and Ball Recovery Time

31 March 2023 – The DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and Amazon Web Services (AWS) today announced the newest Bundesliga Match Facts powered by AWS, which will debut during Matchday 26, 31 March – 2 April.

Keeper Efficiency is based on xSaves, which is derived from the Expected Goals (xGoals) model. xSaves indicates the probability of a shot on goal being saved. Each shot is analysed individually, with regard to the trajectory of the ball, the distance of the striker, the angle to the goal, and the precise position of the goalkeeper. This data is compared with data from around 20,000 past shots on goal since the 2018-19 Bundesliga season. Based on this, the probability that the goalkeeper will make a save is calculated in real time. Keeper Efficiency is the cumulation of individual values: If the number of successful saves a goalkeeper makes in a certain period exceeds the cumulative xSaves value of shots on their goal, this goalkeeper has a positive Keeper Efficiency.

Ball Recovery Time is another new Match Fact, that calculates with accuracy down to the tenth of a second how quickly a team recovers the ball after losing it. Algorithms automatically track which team is in control of the ball and, when the team loses possession, it measures how long it takes them to recover the ball. Ball Recovery Time must be seen in the context of a team’s strategy and the stage of the match. For example, some teams try to recover the ball as quickly as possible, while others allow their opponents possession and wait for chances to counterattack. The time remaining within a match and the score can also influence whether a team is more likely to press or hang back.

Since the start of 2020, the DFL and AWS have collaborated on numerous projects, including the use of data analytics. The partnership has enabled the live processing of data into innovative statistics, resulting in Bundesliga Match Facts powered by AWS. They can help audiences better understand the performance and game strategy of teams and offer deeper insights into the performances of their favourite players. Bundesliga Match Facts are made available on broadcasts, through the Bundesliga platforms and channels, as well as in the Bundesliga app.