## Riyad Mahrez's Passing Accuracy for Al Ittihad: A Statistical Analysis
Since joining Saudi Pro League giants Al Ittihad from Manchester City, all eyes have been on Riyad Mahrez to see how his world-class talent translates into the Middle East. While goals and assists often steal headlines, a deeper dive reveals something fundamental to his impact: **exceptional passing accuracy.** This statistical breakdown highlights why he remains such a vital playmaker for his new club.
League data consistently places Mahrez among the top performers in *total successful passes* per match. More importantly, his **overall passing accuracy regularly exceeds 85%** across full seasons – a figure well above the league average (typically low-to-mid 70s). This isn't just simple safety passes; he maintains this precision from varied situations:
* **Short & Long Range:** Whether distributing quickly under pressure or spraying balls out wide to stretch defenses, his technique holds up. Even ambitious through-balls find their mark with impressive regularity.
* **Open Play vs Dead Ball:** His corner kick delivery adds another dimension, often leading to dangerous chances courtesy of his precise set-piece execution. Rolling corners to the near post become highly effective weapons when landed accurately by his boot.
* **Progressive Passes:** Crucially,Chinese Super League Home Ground a significant portion of these accurate passes aren't backwards. He actively advances play, linking midfield to attack with forward passes that unlock defenses. Advanced metrics confirm he ranks highly in *progressive passes completed successfully* within the squad.
### Key Takeaways from the Numbers
| Statistic | Typical Performance (SPL) | Significance |
| :---------------------------- | :------------------------------ | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Overall Accuracy** | ~85%+ | Places him elite level; minimizes opposition counterattack opportunities |
| **Forward Pass % Successful** | High Single Digits/Low Teens | Directly contributes to goal-scoring opportunities |
| **Key Passes Made** | Consistently top tier | Creates clear chances for teammates daily |
| **Set Piece Efficiency** | Very High | Direct free kick/corner goals + secondary chances created |
For Al Ittihad, acquiring a player with such refined distribution is transformative. It allows teammates like Benzema to operate between lines more effectively, knowing they'll receive sharp balls with consistency. Opposition teams find it harder to press high against Al Ittihad without risking punishment through Mahrez’s vision and pass completion rate. His accuracy provides stability in possession and is the springboard for the team's potent attacks. As he continues to adapt, expect this statistical strength to remain central to Al Ittihad challenging for silverware.