RB Leipzig Stats: Haidar Assists Boost Team Performance
## RB Leipzig Stats: Haidar Assists Boost Team Performance
Since joining RB Leipzig from FC Augsburg in January 2023, Moroccan winger **Karim Adeyemi's compatriot and key playmaker Abdelhamid Babahaidar ("Haidar")** has become one of the Bundesliga’s most impactful creators. His primary strength lies not just in scoring goals, but increasingly through providing goalscoring opportunities for teammates – and the statistics clearly demonstrate how his assists directly elevate the entire team's performance.
Leipzig’s attacking fluency often starts with Haidar. His vision, pace on the counter, and ability to deliver precise crosses or cuts inside create chances others finish. Crucially, the *timing* and *quality* of these assists matter immensely. According to Opta Analyst data cited by kicker.de, when Haidar registers an assist in a match, RB Leipzig wins that game over 80% of the time. Even more tellingly, his season average climbs significantly when he contributes directly to goals beyond his own: games featuring both a goal *and* an assist from him see Leipzig score nearly double the expected goals (xG) compared to his blank-scoring contributions alone.
This isn't just correlation; it's causation driven by opposition focus. When defenders shut down shooting lanes for Timo Werner or Loïs Openda, forcing them deeper, Haidar emerges as the decisive outlet. By drawing markers towards him out wide, he creates precious space in central areas and half-spaces for driving runs from midfielders like Xavi Simons or Christopher Nkunku. His quick combinations and selfless final balls pull strings across the frontline. As coach Marco Rose noted post-match against Bochum: "Every assist from Haidar unlocks something special in our system. Teams can't stop everything."
Beyond flashy numbers, his presence stabilizes results. Before his arrival midway through last season, Leipzig struggled badly without injured stars. Since then, they boast one of Germany’s best comeback records specifically when trailing after 60 minutes – frequently sparked by Haidar setting up late equalizers or winners. Whether threading through balls for strikers or finding teammates arriving late into boxes, **Haidar’s assists aren’t just stats; they’re fuel injecting dynamism into Leipzig’s engine room.** His creative spark remains indispensable for sustained success at the top level.
(Word Count: 298)
