SC Braga has been formally recognized by Liga Portugal, the governing body of professional football in Portugal, for a rather technical yet highly significant aspect of the game: maximizing the amount of time the ball is actually in play during matches. The club was presented with the `O futebol não para` (Football Doesn`t Stop) award on Tuesday, designating them as the team with the highest average `useful playing time` in the Primeira Liga during the recently concluded 2023/24 season.
According to data compiled by the league, the team from Braga demonstrated exceptional efficiency in maintaining game flow, achieving an average useful playing time of 57.91% per match. For those who appreciate precision, this percentage translates to an impressive 56 minutes and 59 seconds of actual football action within the standard match duration.
In an era where discussions frequently arise about time-wasting, stoppages, and the declining amount of active playing time, Braga`s performance stands out. While tactical pauses, substitutions, injuries, and VAR reviews are inherent to modern football, the `useful playing time` metric provides insight into a team`s approach to minimizing unnecessary breaks and keeping the game flowing. It`s a nod to a philosophy that values continuous action over interruptions – a welcome change of pace, perhaps, from matches that feel bogged down by constant whistles and delays.
While SC Braga finished the 2023/24 campaign in fourth place in the Primeira Liga standings, behind powerhouses Sporting CP, Benfica, and FC Porto, their dominance in this particular metric highlights a different kind of on-field discipline and effectiveness. It underscores a commitment to the core element of the sport: the ball moving.
The recognition for promoting continuous play wasn`t exclusive to the top division. Liga Portugal also acknowledged the leading team in the second tier, Liga Portugal 2. This honour went to CD Feirense, who recorded an average useful playing time of 54.85%, amounting to 54 minutes and 14 seconds per game. This indicates that the emphasis on keeping the game active is being monitored and encouraged across professional leagues in Portugal.
The `O futebol não para` award serves as a tangible acknowledgement of clubs that prioritize dynamic match play. SC Braga`s leading statistic in the Primeira Liga demonstrates their effectiveness in this area, setting a benchmark for others in Portugal`s top flight regarding the simple, yet often elusive, goal of keeping the football rolling.
