James Tavernier Leads Israeli League in Free-Kick Goals

Maccabi Tel Aviv defender James Tavernier has emerged as the top free-kick scorer in the Israeli Premier League since the 2019/20 season, netting nine goals. This tally surpasses the combined total of the next two highest scorers, Eliel Peretz and Guy Badash, who each have three goals. The article explores whether Tavernier's success is due to his individual skill or a shift in team tactics.

Data from the 2019/20 season onwards shows Tavernier leading active players with nine free-kick goals. Other notable scorers include Eliel Peretz, Guy Badash, Omri Altman, and Stav Turiel. The all-time record, held by Itzik Zohar with 39 goals over 12 seasons, appears unlikely to be broken due to changes in the game, including the rise of expected goals (xG) analytics.

Modern football strategy, influenced by xG, often favors creating higher-percentage scoring opportunities closer to the goal. This leads teams to prioritize set-piece routines like crosses or passes over direct shots from distance, which have a lower probability of success. For example, Yarden Shua took 72 free kicks last season, but only six were aimed at the goal, with just one on target.

While direct free-kick goals have become rarer, players like Dan Biton, Omer Atzili, and Tavernier himself have excelled at delivering assists from set pieces. Maccabi Tel Aviv may leverage Tavernier's free-kick ability, potentially more than other teams, especially considering his past success in Scotland. However, the article predicts Tavernier might provide more assists than goals from free kicks in Israel, given the different style of play and tactical considerations.

The article notes that in the past season, only nine players scored from free kicks, with Stav Turiel scoring twice. The previous year, ten players scored in total. Lior Refaelov, now Maccabi Haifa's professional director, was the top free-kick scorer in the 2000s. The shift in strategy is also reflected in the roles of set-piece coaches, with Guy Weizinger being a prominent figure today.