Soccer? Technology Helps You Improve

Until just a few years ago, if we had asked any young girl what sport she played or wanted to play, she would seldom have answered “soccer”. Now, however, that’s no longer the case. Having spread from the United States and some Northern European countries, women’s soccer is now a major force in many European nations and beyond, including Italy—but especially in Spain, where the national team won the World Cup in 2023 and remains at the top of the world rankings, on par with their male counterparts. Laura Mas I Serra, a 22-year-old Spaniard, is a midfielder for Como Women—one of two teams from the lakeside city competing in Serie A (a distinction shared with Milan and Rome)—and a student in the master’s program in Artificial Intelligence at Bocconi University, benefiting from the support provided by the Sport Talent program, reserved for student-athletes who compete at the highest levels, both nationally and internationally.

Soccer player and student—two commitments that are hard to balance. How did you end up in Italy and at Bocconi?

When I was 12, after playing for the boys’ team in my hometown (Calella, in Catalonia), I was scouted by FC Barcelona and spent six years in the club’s youth academy. At 18, I moved to the United States to play for the Fresno State University team in NCAA Division I. At the same time, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Although balancing soccer and my studies was challenging, this experience helped me grow tremendously, both personally and professionally. After graduating, I wanted to continue playing soccer professionally while also pursuing a master’s degree. Over the summer, I had the opportunity to join the FC Como Women squad in Serie A and begin my studies at Bocconi. It was the perfect opportunity to get to know a new country, continue to grow as a soccer player, and invest in my future beyond sports.

Why did you choose soccer in particular?

I started playing soccer inspired by my older sister, who is two years older than me and was already playing for our local team at the time. I was a very active child, so I also did track and field and played a little tennis, but never with the same dedication I gave to soccer. The passion I had for this sport—and still have today—was simply stronger than anything else. In Spain, soccer is also one of the most popular sports among girls, especially thanks to the achievements of the women’s national team. Their success has helped inspire a new generation, and the growing visibility of women’s soccer now allows young girls to grow up seeing it as a real career opportunity and a goal they can aspire to achieve.

What are the main differences between women’s soccer in Spain and in Italy?

In my experience, Spanish and Italian soccer are becoming increasingly similar, especially in terms of tactical approaches and the importance of understanding the game. One difference I’ve noticed in Italy is the greater emphasis on exploiting transitions, whereas in Spain there’s sometimes a tendency to

place more importance on controlling the pace, maintaining possession, and patiently building plays. Of course, these differences depend on the team and its style of play, but adapting to a different soccer culture is an exciting opportunity to learn and grow as a player.

Tell us about a typical day for you, balancing academic and athletic commitments.

My typical day starts in the morning with a workout at the gym and training on the field with the team, followed by recovery and lunch. After that, I head to Bocconi for classes or spend time on university projects and studying with my classmates. In the evening, I spend some free time with friends or relax and recharge my energy for the next day. Balancing everything isn’t always easy; being part of the Sport Talent program helps me a lot, but I think these two experiences complement each other. Soccer teaches me discipline, teamwork, and how to handle pressure, while my studies offer me new perspectives and help prepare me for my future working life.

What are your athletic goals? 

To keep improving and establish myself at the professional level. I want to become a more well-rounded player, contribute to my team’s success, and continue to challenge myself to reach ever-higher levels. At the same time, I want to enjoy this phase of my career and make the most of the opportunity to play professionally in Italy, while also preparing for my future outside of sports.

What are your goals for life after your soccer career?

I’ve always wanted to have a career outside of soccer as well, driven by my interest in technology, artificial intelligence, and the development of tools capable of solving real-world problems. However, I don’t view soccer and my professional future as two separate worlds. I’d like to explore opportunities that allow me to combine them, using technology and data to advance the evolution of soccer, improve performance, and support more effective decision-making. I believe it would be particularly rewarding to bring together the two fields I’m passionate about and contribute to the development of this sport in a different way.