The stats that separate casual fans from nerds. Welcome to nerd territory.
xG measures the quality of chances. Every shot is assigned a probability of being scored based on distance, angle, body part, assist type, and defensive pressure. A penalty is 0.76 xG. A header from 16 yards might be 0.08 xG. If a team creates 2.5 xG but scores 1, they were unlucky. If they create 0.5 xG and score 2, they were clinical but possibly unsustainable.
Like xG but for the passer. Measures how likely a pass is to lead to a goal. Kevin De Bruyne consistently has the highest xA in the Premier League because his passes create incredible shooting opportunities.
A pass that moves the ball at least 10 meters closer to the opponent's goal (or into the penalty box). Measures a player's ability to advance play. Toni Kroos was the king of progressive passing.
Raw tackles and interceptions are misleading — a team that defends a lot will have more. PAdj normalizes per 90 minutes of defensive action. It reveals who is genuinely good at winning the ball back.
Measures pressing intensity. Lower PPDA = more aggressive press. Liverpool under Klopp had some of the lowest PPDA in Europe. Burnley under Dyche? Much higher — they sat deep.