31 Jul “You don’t win titles in August—but you might lose them.”
What four seasons of LaLiga data reveal about player performance in early matchdays—and how to use that knowledge today
It’s August. The season kicks off.
Your players look fresh. The GPS numbers from preseason look promising. Training load has been controlled. Everyone’s ready… right?
Then come the first matchdays—and something’s off. High-intensity running isn’t quite there. Sprints are down. Total distance covered looks conservative. Your most explosive player isn’t hitting top speed.
Is it a problem with the preparation? Or is this just how elite football works?
At LALIGA’s Football Intelligence & Performance Department, we took a deep dive into this question. We analyzed four full seasons of LaLiga (2015/16 to 2018/19) to track how player physical performance evolves across a season.
The answer may surprise you—and it might change how you plan the first ten matchdays of every campaign.
What did we study?
We used Mediacoach® tracking technology to analyze:
- Total distance per match
- Distance covered in 4 speed zones:
- <14.0 km/h
- 14.0–20.9 km/h
- 21.0–23.9 km/h
- ≥24.0 km/h
- Number of sprints (≥24 km/h)
In total, 1,520 LaLiga matches were analyzed across four seasons.
Our goal: identify the natural progression of physical performance in elite players across a full competition, matchday by matchday.
Key findings: the 10-match build-up
Across all four seasons, we observed a consistent and revealing trend:
1. Physical performance ramps up progressively
Players increase their high-intensity running (14.0+ km/h) and sprint efforts gradually over the first 8–10 matchdays, until reaching a plateau.
2. Low-intensity activity drops
The distance covered at <14 km/h decreases over the same period, suggesting a shift from passive to purposeful movement.
3. Sprints peak after week 8
The number of sprints ≥24 km/h increases significantly until matchday 8–10 and then stabilizes.
4. Fatigue at the finish?
In the last 3–4 matchdays of the season, most performance metrics decrease—hinting at accumulated fatigue, risk management, or both.
Practical takeaways for coaches and performance staff
This progression isn’t just academic. It should inform how you interpret early-season data, plan training cycles, and manage squad readiness.
Adjust expectations in the first 8–10 matchdays
Don’t expect full match-intensity running from week one. Set realistic performance benchmarks and track improvement over time.
Integrate gradual overload into your preseason
Instead of trying to reach peak intensity too soon, design a ramp-up model where exposure to high-speed running increases progressively—mirroring real competition patterns.
Use data trends to guide decision-making
Understand that performance dips in sprint distance or high-speed efforts early on are normal, not alarming. Focus on relative gains, not premature comparisons to peak-season values.
Protect players late in the season
The observed decline in physical metrics near the season’s end suggests the need for tailored load management and smart rotation in high-pressure phases.
Contextualizing with recent research (2021–2025)
While this study focused on seasonal trends before COVID-19, more recent research has confirmed and extended its findings:
- García-Calvo et al. (2025) found that First Division teams consistently show higher running metrics than Second Division teams, with both leagues increasing their physical outputs over four seasons.
- Thron et al. (2022) showed that leagues with longer interruptions experienced temporary drops in performance—confirming the need for better recovery strategies.
- Sekulić et al. (2021) and García-Aliaga et al. (2021) observed that high-speed running performance dropped temporarily post-lockdown in LaLiga, influenced by substitution rules and match schedules.
- Radzimiński et al. (2022) highlighted that recovery of high-intensity outputs varied by position—emphasizing the need for tailored reconditioning.
- Muscella (2023) reported physiological disruptions in the return phase, confirming that recovery is not only mechanical but hormonal and structural.
Together, these studies confirm a critical message:
It’s not just about being ready. It’s about understanding how long it takes to truly return to match-winning performance.
And this study provides one of the clearest timelines available.
Bottom line: Plan for August, peak for October
Whether you’re entering a new season, returning from a break, or preparing a player post-injury:
Assume a 10-match runway to reach optimal physical performance.
Design your training, match planning, and expectations accordingly. The teams that manage this transition better won’t just survive August—they’ll be leading in October.
Podcast recommendation
Scientific reference
Souza DB, González-García J, López-Del Campo R, et al. Players’ physical performance in LaLiga across the season: insights for competition continuation after COVID-19. Biology of Sport. 2021;38(1):3–7. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2020.96856