By Marta Elena Casanova
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In recent times, artificial intelligence (AI) has also made its way into the world of football, completely transforming how players train, how tactical decisions are made, and how injuries are prevented. It’s no longer science fiction: today, AI is a concrete reality in Serie A training centers and across European clubs. Personalized training sessions, virtual simulations, and predictive performance analysis are rewriting the rules of the game.
Tailored training: AI as the new fitness coach
In the past, training sessions were almost the same for every player, with minor adjustments based on role or physical condition. Today, thanks to AI, each athlete receives a custom-made plan tailored to parameters such as physical condition, biometric data, muscle stress, sleep-wake rhythm, and even mental state.
This is possible thanks to software that analyzes data collected from GPS devices, sensors, cameras, and real-time tracking platforms. The information is processed by algorithms that suggest optimal workloads, recovery moments, and specific goals. In practice, artificial intelligence becomes an extra member of the coaching staff, capable of understanding every detail of a player’s body and habits.
Serie A and AI technologies
Italy’s top-flight league is also making significant strides. Several Serie A teams have adopted tools like IM Coach, developed by the Italian startup Math&Sport, which analyzes in-game movements in real time to provide immediate tactical feedback during training sessions and matches. That’s not all. The semi-automated offside technology, also introduced in Serie A, is another concrete example: based on AI and 3D tracking, it can pinpoint player positions with extreme accuracy, improving the quality and speed of refereeing decisions.
Europe’s most advanced clubs: TacticAI and injury prevention
Across Europe, some clubs are exploring the relationship between sport and technology in depth. Liverpool, for instance, partnered with DeepMind to create TacticAI, a system that analyzes set pieces and suggests new player positioning. The results? 90% of analysts prefer AI-generated solutions over traditional ones. Benfica, on the other hand, works with personalized 3D models of its players—so-called “digital twins”—that allow for match simulations, tactical testing, and predictions of how players will react in specific scenarios. Another interesting case is Getafe CF, which uses the Zone7 platform to monitor players’ physical health and prevent muscle injuries before they happen—a huge advantage, especially in a packed schedule.
The future is virtual: 3D simulations and augmented reality
Looking ahead, the next step is the integration of 3D simulations and augmented reality into training sessions. Players will be able to experience tactical situations virtually before even stepping onto the pitch, enhancing their responsiveness and decision-making skills. The most innovative clubs are already testing AR headsets to analyze positioning, while predictive software is starting to forecast match outcomes based on thousands of virtual scenarios.
Coaching staff in the AI era: less intuition, more data
The arrival of AI hasn’t replaced the coach—but it has transformed the role. Tactical decisions are no longer based solely on experience or personal vision: today, an enormous amount of data guides every choice. Coaching staff now work closely with analysts and data scientists, consulting detailed reports that break down every aspect of performance. Training is adjusted daily based on AI inputs. The role of the fitness coach, in particular, has become more analytical: AI software indicates when to push and when to let a player recover, to avoid stress and injuries.
Artificial intelligence is far more than a passing trend in football: it’s a real revolution in progress. From personalized training to injury prevention to virtual simulations, AI is reshaping how matches are prepared and how talent is developed.
As AI advances in football, human work won’t disappear—but it will change profoundly. Coaches, trainers, and analysts will increasingly act as data interpreters, turning the insights provided by AI systems into strategic and personalized decisions. Intuition will remain essential, but it will be joined by a new skill: the ability to read and effectively use data. In this landscape, human value will lie in vision, leadership, and emotional intelligence—elements that no algorithm can replace.
By Marta Elena Casanova
