Using a Non-Linear Integer Programming (NLIP) model, I examine if wage differences between Super talents and Normal players improve the performance of four teams which participate in a tournament, such as in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) group matches. With ad-hoc wage differences, the optimal...

The ranking of football players has always engaged media and supporters worldwide. The different views on ranking are due to two reasons. First, leagues are heterogeneous with various qualities. Second, fans often rely on different performance measures and statistics. Despite the fact that team...

This paper examines the effects of a win bonus, effort, costs and team size, on the demand for talented players, the win percentage and the profits of small and big teams. Teams play a Cournot game, under the following objective functions: (i) teams maximize profits, (ii) teams maximize win...

The mass media, the football supporters and other experts in many countries are often engaged in the ranking of football players. Given the heterogeneity of various leagues or series in which players play, such a comparison is almost impossible. On the other hand, the performance of players in...

This study uses a multi-output multi-input Data Efficiency Analysis (DEA) to estimate the performance of all thirty-two participated football teams in the UEFA Champions League (CL) tournament 2005-06. The estimates are based on official match statistics from all 125 matches.

We formulate a non-linear integer programming model and use plausible parameters to examine: (i) the effects of wage differences between Super- and Normal- players in the performance of four teams which participate in the UEFA CL group matches; (ii) whether the expected qualification bonus...

Official match-play statistics from the Champions League tournament between 2001-02 and 2006-07 are used to estimate the impact of various variables on the performance of the teams, measured by goal difference. We find that offensive tactics measured by simple variables, such shots on goals, for...

There are several methods to convert fuzzy or stochastic LP to conventional LP models. In this simple paper we evaluate the effectiveness of three proposed methods, using a numerical example from a pure factors portfolio.

This paper attempts to find the optimal formation of three midfielders and three forward football players on ground, using the classic Quadratic Assignment Problem or Facility Layout problem. Players are treated as “machines”, their positions as locations, and the flow of materials between...

In a recent UEFA Champions League game between AC Milan and FC Barcelona, played in Italy (final score 2-3), the collected match statistics, classified into four offensive and two defensive strategies, were in favour of FC Barcelona (by 13 versus 8 points). The aim of this paper is to examine to...