As Mamelodi Sundowns enter the key part of their title challenge and look to retain their crown, we look at how their attacking stats compare to the team that won last season's league title.
Below are their key attacking indicators.
2018/18 |
| 2018/19 – 18 games |
1.63 | Goals Per Game | 1.19 |
13.9 | Shots Per Game | 13.4 |
55.9% | Possession | 54.3% |
36% | Shooting Accuracy | 35.5% |
17.1 | Penalty Area Touches Per Game | 16.4 |
78% | Final Third Passing Accuracy | 78.1% |
Goals and shooting
Last season, Sundowns netted a league-high 49 goals in their 30 matches as Percy Tau scored 11 goals and assisted 13 times. His departure, as well as that of Khama Billiat, has seen a transition period of sorts for Masandawana as Gaston Sirino and Lebohang Maboe have become first choice attackers. Anthony Laffor's excellent form has seen a false nine system being used on occasion, with Maboe usually the furthest man forward. Sundowns' scoring has taken a dip with just 19 goals scored in their 16 games so far. The side is on course to score 13 fewer league goals this season at their current rate, prompting Pitso Mosimane to bring in Emiliano Tade from AmaZulu in a cash-plus-player deal, as Bonginkosi Ntuli made his loan deal permanent at Usuthu. Downs' shots have dropped this season (0.5) whilst their shooting accuracy has dropped slightly too. Jeremy Brockie has scored just once this league campaign after big things were expected of him in Tau's absence. Mosimane has even used Thapelo Morena as a striker to good effect in the win against Highlands Park, as Brockie has dropped down the pecking order.
Possession
This season, Sundowns have seen a decrease in their overall possession numbers, having 1.6% less of the ball. They have been very comfortable with having less of the ball in some matches, and still managed to win most of those clashes. The side's penalty area touches have naturally dropped without Tau, but also with less of the ball as a team. The side's final third passing accuracy is still very impressive as their quick interplay becomes second nature to like of Maboe and Sirino, but without always having someone to finish their good approach play. Emiliano Tade appears to have been signed for this purpose.
Where do you think Sundowns can improve in their attack? Will Emiliano Tade help to ease the goalscoring burden having netted on debut in the CAF Champions League? Will Jeremy Brockie regain his form? Let us know by commenting below.