As the physical demands of modern football continue to rise, tracking player movement data has become essential for identifying top-performing young talents. Leveraging the advanced capabilities of the Comparisonator Physical Data Comparison Module, we’ve analyzed the UEFA Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round First Match to spotlight the best players across three critical physical parameters during the 2024/25 season so far.
This detailed analysis equips clubs, scouts, and analysts with valuable insights into emerging athletes whose physical performances set them apart on the pitch. Powered by AI and extracted from broadcast data, these metrics provide accurate and contextual benchmarks for player evaluation.
In the Sprinting Distance category—tracking movement >25 km/h—Gedson Fernandes leads the rankings, demonstrating consistent high-tempo involvement. Pawel Wszolek tops the charts in Max Speed covered, emphasizing his exceptional endurance and work rate. Meanwhile, Oliver Sörensen excels in Running Distance, showcasing his explosiveness and frequent high-speed runs exceeding 15-20 km/h.
These findings not only highlight Europe’s next generation of talent but also reinforce the strategic value of physical analytics in recruitment and squad building. Stay tuned as we continue to reveal more data-driven standouts throughout the season.
Please note that all numbers are per 90 min data from the 2025/26 Season – So Far.
Pawel Wszolek’s CompaGPT Physicals report:
Pawel Wszolek exhibited remarkable physical attributes, particularly in the Max Speed category, where he achieved a top ranking with an average max speed of 34.68 km/h, surpassing all other right-backs, including Kevin Mbabu, who recorded 34.52 km/h. This indicates Wszolek’s exceptional pace and ability to cover ground quickly, which is crucial for defensive recoveries and offensive transitions. His Total Distance covered in the first half was noteworthy, placing him second among his peers with 5173.16 meters, closely behind Chris Cadden’s 5486.45 meters. This demonstrates Wszolek’s endurance and capability to maintain high activity levels throughout the match, contributing significantly to both defensive and attacking phases.
Pawel Wszolek’s most tactically significant strengths are his top-ranked Max Speed and high Total Distance coverage, particularly in the first half. These attributes underline his ability to contribute effectively to both defensive and offensive phases, offering tactical flexibility and reliability as a right-back. His performance in deceleration and overall activity further emphasizes his physical prowess, making him a crucial asset in transitional play and defensive solidity.
Pawel Wszolek (’92) (RB) – Legia Warszawa
Max Speed
Oliver Sörensen’s CompaGPT Physicals report:
High Speed Running Distance and High Intensity Distance averages of 927.27 meters and 1,250.46 meters, respectively, further emphasize his high-energy performance. Leading in these metrics indicates his capacity for sustained high-tempo contributions, crucial for maintaining pressure on opponents and executing high-intensity pressing strategies. Oliver Sörensen demonstrated exceptional physical endurance and work rate. He recorded a Total Distance average per match of 12,570.76 meters, ranking 1st out of 38 players in his position. This performance highlights his ability to cover extensive ground, maintaining high activity levels throughout the match. Sörensen’s high mileage is tactically significant, suggesting he can effectively support both defensive and offensive plays, providing a dynamic presence across the pitch.
Oliver Sörensen’s best ranking parameters include Total Distance covered, High Deceleration Count, High Speed Running Distance, Sprinting Distance, and Max Speed. These parameters collectively demonstrate his exceptional physical presence on the field, providing tactical advantages such as maintaining high pressure, facilitating swift transitions, and supporting both defensive and offensive maneuvers. Sörensen’s ability to cover large distances and perform at high intensity may offer Midtjylland strategic flexibility in deploying him effectively in various match situations.
Oliver Sörensen (’02) (CMF) – Midtjylland
Running Distance
Gedson Fernandes’s CompaGPT Physicals report:
Gedson Fernandes demonstrated exceptional physical prowess, particularly in sprinting and high-intensity movements. In the matches analyzed, he topped the rankings in several key areas. His average sprinting distance per match was 514.53 meters, ranking him first among 53 players in the same position. This substantial distance, compared to Martin Boyle’s 373.26 meters, highlights Gedson’s ability to cover large areas of the pitch, indicating a significant contribution to both offensive and defensive transitions. His high-intensity distance of 1132.31 meters per match also placed him at the top of his positional peers. This suggests that Gedson is consistently active and engaged at high speeds, a critical factor in pressing and counter-attacking strategies. His sprint count averaged 28 per match, again ranking first, which further underscores his relentless movement and capacity to break defensive lines or track back effectively.
Gedson Fernandes’ top-ranking physical parameters in the selected matches emphasize his tactical significance as a LW player. His outstanding Sprinting Distance, High Intensity Distance, Sprint Count, and Max Speed highlight his ability to maintain high energy levels, execute quick transitions, and engage effectively in both offensive and defensive phases. These attributes suggest a player in excellent physical form, capable of influencing match dynamics through sustained pressure and rapid movements, making him a valuable asset for Beşiktaş in the UEFA Europa League – Qualification 2025-2026 season.
Gedson Fernandes (’99) (LW) – Beşiktaş
