Congolese striker Simon Banza has scored with his head in each of his last three matches for PAOK Salonika, with a 50% conversion rate far above his xG.
Three matches, three goals, and every time with his head. Simon Banza, the 30-year-old Congolese striker at PAOK Salonika, is in fine form. According to inpaok.com, the centre-forward has scored his last three goals with his head, in consecutive matches played in the Greek club’s shirt.
Three appearances, three scenarios
The most recent episode dates back to 28 October: on his first start in the Cup against AEK, he opened the scoring in the 8th minute, meeting a cross from Jongo Kenny. PAOK won 3-1. Three days earlier, at OFI, he struck after coming off the bench, and ten days before that, he had already shown his heading ability in a derby.
On 18 October, against Iraklis, he came on from the bench. Nine minutes after his introduction, Banza equalised with a header in the 62nd minute, before PAOK won 2-1 in the Thessaloniki derby, reports inpaok.com.
On 25 October, at OFI, coach Alessio Lisci brought him on in the 68th minute. In the 89th, he reduced the deficit to 2-1 with a header, but could not prevent defeat.
The third time, on 28 October, changed the picture: handed a start in the Cup against AEK, Banza needed only eight minutes to open the scoring with his head, from a cross by PAOK player Jongo Kenny. PAOK won 3-1.
50% conversion rate, 0.92 xG
The figures put forward by PAOK24 give the measure of the run: three goals from six attempts, a 50% conversion rate, while his xG stands at just 0.92. In other words, Banza’s current output far exceeds what the quality of his chances would suggest.
The Greek outlet highlights room for improvement: in its view, the player is not yet at 100% and is not yet being supplied enough by his teammates.
What comes next, with no fixed date
The three goals came in ten days, from 18 to 28 October, in three different contexts: a derby, a match at OFI and a Cup tie. Two of them came after coming off the bench.
The article specifies neither the dates nor the opponents of PAOK’s next league and Cup matches, and does not mention any comment from Banza on his run.