Opta and Adidas launch new analysis tool to define the 'engine'

On the 22/04/2013, Adidas and sports data company Opta signed a partnership, on a new initiative to analyse footballing 'engines'.

Defined by Adidas in 2011, the 'engine' is a box-to-box footballer who covers every blade of grass, seeks goal scoring chances, tracks down his opponents and displays relentless energy from the first minute to the final whistle.

With the basis of Opta data, certain indicators such as work rate, pitch coverage and on/off ball statistics will be measured and players will be scored out of 100.

A mathematical algorithm is then used to defines the perfect 'engine' player. Some of the players believed to fit 'The Engine' stereotype are Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Dani Alves (FC Barcelona), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma) and Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain).

Matches from the Champions League 2012-13 and the Confederations Cup 2013 in Brazil (15-30/06/2013) will be analysed. The results will be announced using infographics on Adidas' Twitter page (@adidasfootball #TheEngine).