In recent years, numerical, positional, and qualitative superiorities developed by Paco Seriul-Lo have shaped game plans and guided the tactical analysis of many coaches. Yet, according to Roman Quane, U21 coach at the amateur club Billericay Town FC (and founder of Jogo Funcional), another form of superiority—developed by the renowned sports science professor at the University of Barcelona and former head of methodology at Barça—remains largely overlooked: socio-affective superiority. “An équipe truly progresses when its players understand each other instinctively, interpret each other’s intentions, anticipate movements, and share information without needing to speak. Seriul-Lo calls this emotional and cognitive connection between teammates empathic resonance,” explains the English coach, convinced that a significant area of improvement for coaches lies here. “Each player represents a ‘world’ and perceives, understands, and executes the game in their own way. For these worlds to come together, there must be a shared foundation of values, trust, and a common footballing language. Relationships create smoother interactions than any tactical structure,” he adds. For coaches, a question becomes essential: how can we develop resonance between players to unlock the best synergies?
Physical trainer, then head of methodology at FC Barcelona from 1994 to 2022, Paco Seirul Lo (right) is particularly famous for his writings on superiority / ©Icon Sport