BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze high pressing in open play during the 2021-2022 UEFA Champions League group stage (N.=192 matches). METHODS: The football pitch was divided into 18 zones, and the variables observed and analyzed included the pressing zone, pressing success, ball recovery zone, attack result, total passes until the outcome of play, team formations and ways used to counter the pressing. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square Test, with significance set at P<0.05. RESULTS: Pressing occurred most frequently in front of the opposite goal post (P<0.001), while "Attack against organized defense," "Loss of possession," and "Throw-in won" were the most observed outcomes of play (P<0.001). The ball was recovered most of the time in the zones between the center line and the opponent`s penalty area (P<0.001), and the teams mainly used long passes to counter the pressing (P<0.001). The most notable associations found are between: the pressing zone and the ball recovery zone (x2=295.139, P<0.001), as well as the ways used to counter the pressing (x2=148.723, P<0.001), the outcome of play and both the ball recovery zone (x2=257.267, P<0.001) and the number of passes until the outcome of play (x2=168.455, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pressing in the offensive third seems to lead to ball recovery in the central third and attacks against an organized defense.
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