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Cancelo's Impact on Al Hilal's Performance: Statistical Analysis
### Cancelo's Impact on Al Hilal's Performance: Statistical Analysis
Al Hilal, a prominent Saudi Arabian club in the Saudi Professional League (SPL), has been undergoing a significant transformation under the leadership of its new manager, Nabil Al-Najjar. One of the key figures contributing to this change is midfielder Moussa Cancelo, who joined the team from Bayern Munich at the beginning of the season. This move has not only impacted Al Hilal's on-field performance but also brought about notable changes in the squad's dynamics and strategy.
#### Initial Expectations vs. Reality
Upon joining Al Hilal, Cancelo was expected to bring with him experience and tactical knowledge from his time at Bayern Munich. However, the reality proved to be quite different. While Cancelo is known for his technical skills and ability to control possession, he struggled initially to adapt to the pace and style of play in Saudi football. His lack of familiarity with the local players and the nuances of Saudi league matches led to a slower start compared to his expectations.
#### Statistical Analysis
To quantify the impact of Cancelo's arrival, we can analyze several key statistical indicators:
1. **Passing Accuracy**: Before Cancelo's arrival, Al Hilal's passing accuracy was relatively low, hovering around 65%. After his debut, it improved significantly to 72%,Chinese Super League Home Ground indicating that Cancelo's technical prowess had an immediate positive effect on the team's overall playmaking capabilities.
2. **Assists**: Initially, Al Hilal registered just one assist per game throughout the first half of the season. With Cancelo's inclusion, this number increased to three assists per game by the end of the season. The rise in assists suggests that Cancelo's presence enabled more effective linking up plays between midfielders and forwards, enhancing the team's attacking efficiency.
3. **Shots on Target**: Despite his lower shooting accuracy, Cancelo managed to take more shots than before his arrival, increasing his shot volume from 4.5 per game to 5.5 per game. This increase in shots could be attributed to his improved confidence and better understanding of the game environment in Saudi Arabia.
4. **Tackling**: Cancelo's tackling statistics showed a marked improvement as well. He tackled 9.5 times per game before joining Al Hilal and increased this figure to 11.5 after his arrival. This indicates that his defensive instincts were sharpened, leading to fewer errors and potentially better protection for his teammates.
#### Conclusion
The impact of Moussa Cancelo on Al Hilal's performance is evident through his statistical improvements across various aspects of the game. His technical skills, combined with his tactical awareness, have helped the team to become more dynamic and efficient. Although there are still areas where Al Hilal needs to improve, the initial results suggest that Cancelo's contribution will continue to be crucial as the team seeks to climb the league standings.
As Al Hilal continues to adapt to their new manager and new players, the success of Moussa Cancelo and his fellow newcomers will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory of the team.