Aspire in the World Fellows Book - 2025

122 123 11TH ASPIRE ACADEMY GLOBAL SUMMIT ASPIRE IN THE WORLD FELLOWS [ 08.5 ] AndreBatista HeadAnalystWomen’sNational Team BrazilianFootball Confederation There is a great momentum in women’s football. We know the barriers that existed in the past and how difficult it was for women to even be allowed to play the game. Today, the women’s game has a bright future and is a strong product. I believe we need more major stakeholders involved; we have some already, but we need more investment and stronger commitment. We also need true leadership at all levels. Women have fought hard for this space, and they truly deserve it. Although I love working in the women’s game, my background is mainly inmen’s football. I spent over ten years working in Serie A in Brazil, also serving the Olympic team in Tokyo, before making the move. I have no regrets. Over the past four years, I have learned so much in this environment, and I see a huge and promising future for the game, andwe will continue to fight for it. What is interesting is that we are talking about the same game we all love. It is football: eleven players on each side, running, competing, and trying to score goals. I carry the same respect for the game and the same professional approach I always have. I put in the same effort, keep the same focus on the field, and apply the same level of analysis. What stands out to me is that women are far more engaged with detail. They study every frame of the video and want to understand exactly what happened andwhy. This curiosity surprisedme at first, becausewhen I workedwith boys or men, they rarely asked questions or engaged at that level. In terms of pathways, in Brazil it is still very difficult for women, especially to become head coaches. I agree that the content of coaching courses is often not designed to prepare women to coach in the women’s game. In the future, I hope we see a strong mix of men and women working together and learning from one another, in both men’s and women’s football. I have learned a great deal from this environment, and I wish everyone could experience it. Our staff is roughly half women and half men, and I value the commitment and attention to detail they bring. I am certain we would not be as strong without the women in our team. We need to continue putting in the work and talking about these issues more often, sowomen can reach the highest levels as coaches, administrators, directors, or in any role. The environment around women’s football is positive and family friendly. You get to watch a high-quality game, strong performances, and excellent players. This atmosphere is often different from what we sometimes see in men’s football. When I attend women’s matches, this environment is what truly stands out and what sells the game. I have a young son, and I want him to grow up watching women’s football, in a space where families can enjoy themselves, feel welcome, and experience great performances. What attracts me most is the overall atmosphere around the game, and that is the one thing I am committed to protecting myself. [ 08.5 ] CristianSavoia PerformanceCoach Women’sNational Team ItalianFootball Federation First, I would highlight the importance of research, and second, specificity, because it is essential to be gender specific. For example, in the most recent World Cups and European Championships, specific benchmarks and thresholds have been introduced for women’s football. This is extremely important, as the volume of high- intensity actions is very different compared to men’s football. From a technological standpoint, it is important to understand where women’s football is heading. Over the past decade, high intensity running in the women’s game has increased by around 30%. This evolution is also reflected in training demands. At the same time, the rules of the game are changing, such as the introduction of the five-substitution rule. Reports from the Euro 2025 championship show that many of the most dangerous situations for opponents occur between the third and fifth substitutions. This indicates that five substitutions significantly influence match intensity and tactical approaches. In the top five men’s leagues, tracking data is often comparable, and when differences exist, they are usually linked to the technology provider. In women’s football, however, we have only been developing performance models and data structures for only the last ten years. This is still very new, and in many countries, we do not yet use consistent optical tracking systems for the championships. This is where everything should begin. Better infrastructure for women’s football. It means better stadiums, better optical systems, a clearer understanding of performance models, and the ability to train more effectively. Regarding GPS technology, the brand itself is not necessarily the most important factor. What matters is that each fitness coach, together with the head coach, selects the system that best fits the team’s needs. However, having shared international reports with standardized thresholds would be extremely valuable. For example, if European reports used common filters, minimum efforts, durations, and thresholds, data could be communicated using the same language. Even when data values are similar, differences in terminology and definitions can make interpretation difficult if we are not speaking the same performance language. Finally, we must create opportunities for women to build long-term careers in football after their playing days. This is not only about respect, but about creating balance within the system. Education pathways should be different for men and women, as there are clear psychological and physiological differences that must be addressed. Like Andre, I spent ten years working in men’s football before moving into the women’s game, and it was an incredible experience. I learn every day. We assess psychometric data, but we also need medical information to make meaningful connections. Understanding the menstrual cycle, for example, helps guide strength training and overall load management. This is what true specificity means. It is an area we are actively studying, and one we must continue to push forward collectively. ROUND TABLE