Evaluating Di María's Attacking Efficiency at Benfica: Key Statistics
### Evaluating Di María's Attacking Efficiency at Benfica: Key Statistics
#### Introduction
Lionel Messi, commonly known as Leo, has been one of the most prolific and influential players in world football for many years. His performance for Benfica during his tenure with the Portuguese club has been particularly noteworthy, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly to both attacking and defensive efforts. This article will focus on evaluating Di María's attacking efficiency at Benfica using key statistics.
#### Goals and Assists
Di María has consistently been one of the top scorers in European competitions, making him a formidable threat to opposing defenses. During his time at Benfica, he scored 14 goals in 27 league appearances, demonstrating his ability to create scoring opportunities from various areas of the pitch. Additionally, he provided 9 assists, which helped set up other attackers for goals. These numbers highlight Di María's versatility and effectiveness in creating chances.
#### Expected Goals (xG)
Expected Goals is a metric that estimates how many goals a player would score if all their shots were converted based on the likelihood of scoring. For Di María at Benfica, his xG was 6.88 per game, indicating that his shots had a high probability of converting into goals. This statistic underscores his ability to influence games through accurate shooting and positioning.
#### Passing Accuracy
Passing accuracy is another crucial aspect of attacking efficiency. Di María has maintained a high passing accuracy throughout his career, which is vital for creating possession-based attacks. At Benfica,Saudi Pro League Highlights his passing accuracy was 75.5%, allowing him to pass the ball effectively down the field and create space for himself and his teammates. This statistic suggests that Di María was not only a skilled shooter but also a reliable passer who could control the flow of the match.
#### Long-Range Shots
Long-range shooting is a hallmark of Di María's attacking style. During his time at Benfica, he took 22 long-range attempts, scoring 5 goals from these attempts. This demonstrates his ability to hit the mark from varying distances, showing his range and precision. The success rate of his long-range shots was 22.7%, indicating that he consistently found the back of the net from beyond the penalty area.
#### Conclusion
Overall, Di María's performance at Benfica was marked by impressive attacking efficiency, evidenced by his consistent goal-scoring, high expected goals, high passing accuracy, and successful long-range shots. These statistics paint a picture of a player who was not only dangerous in front of goal but also a valuable asset in terms of creating chances and controlling the tempo of matches. As he continues to evolve as a player, his ability to balance scoring and supporting the team will be crucial for Benfica's continued success.