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The 2021-22 season has seen more teams adopt a possession-based style of beating opponents. The presence of managers like Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and several others is a major reason behind this trend.
More often than not, the teams with the best players hold a major share of possession and try to play through their opponents. However, for this to happen, the entire team needs to be in sync with the style of football and good passers of the ball. Some teams have, however, managed to do so better than others.
On that note, let us take a look at five teams across Europe that have achieved the highest pass completion rate this season.
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Note: Only Europe's Top 5 Leagues have been considered.
#5 Barcelona (86.5%)
Barcelona may not be the giants of La Liga or European football anymore but their style of football has hardly changed. The 'tiki-taka' method, which was introduced by Pep Guardiola more than a decade ago, continues to this day.
A large reason behind this is down to players like Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. Talented youngsters like Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Ronald Araujo from the club's academy are also suited to playing this style.
So it is no surprise that Barcelona have attempted 12804 passes in 20 league games and have completed 11,079 of those. This has ensured a pass completion rate of 86.5%, indicating that Xavi still has quite a few capable passers of the ball in his team.
Despite having a poor season so far, it is remarkable that Barcelona still have incredible passing numbers.
#4 Marseille (87.6%)
Marseille have been one of the teams to watch in Ligue 1 this season. Led by their energetic manager Jorge Sampaoli, Marseille have inculcated a high-intensity brand of football.
Throughout the team, there are various slick passers like Boubacar Kamara, Dimitri Payet, Cengiz Under, and Gerson. Although they do have a tall centre-forward in Arkadiusz Milik that they can play long balls to, Marseille prefer to keep the ball on the ground.
The team's movement and ability to continue running for long periods of the game makes them an efficient possession-based team. Thanks to these elements, they have an 87.6% pass completion rate. They have completed 11,875 passes out of the 13,551 ones they have attempted in 21 league games.
Marseille are currently third in the table. Their slick brand of football could help them reduce the gap with table-toppers PSG.
#3 Real Madrid (87.6%)
Real Madrid are on the rise again and are primed to win the La Liga title this season. They have made a terrific start to the campaign and the presence of experienced professionals coupled with talented youngsters has served them well.
However, the fact that Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Casemiro are still at the top of their game means that Los Blancos find it easy to retain the ball. The trio are excellent operators and are crucial in the build-up play. Their range of passing, coupled with the distribution of the ball by Eder Militao and David Alaba, is a huge reason behind them finding several chances to score.
All in all, Real Madrid have managed to complete 11,779 passes out of the 13,477 they have attempted in 21 league games. Their pass completion rate is currently 87.6%
The 13-time European champions have often refrained from playing a possession-based style of the game. However, Carlo Ancelotti is getting them to excel under a different playing style this season.
#2 Manchester City (88.3%)
Manchester City have continued to dominate the Premier League and Pep Guardiola has seen his style of football trump others yet again. The Citizens have a quality replacement in nearly every position in their team and their players are excellent passers of the ball.
From Ederson to Joao Cancelo to Kevin de Bruyne to Gabriel Jesus, City have a number of great passers. The Citizens run the most in the league and their hard work on the training ground is paying dividends. Their intelligent movement, coupled with two touch passes, has made them the most attractive team to watch in the Premier League this season.
In total, Manchester City have managed an 88.3% pass completion rate in 23 league games, as they have completed 14,445 passes out of the 16,351 they have attempted.
The reigning Premier League champions are likely to retain their crown this term. Their ability to retain the ball is sure to play a pivotal role in them finishing at the top of the English top-flight.
#1 Paris Saint-Germain (89.6%)
Paris Saint-Germain have passed the ball with a purpose this season. Mauricio Pochettino has already got the French giants playing attractive football in his first full season in charge. However, it is no surprise that they are finding it so easy to retain the ball.
The Parisians have arguably the best players in the world, let alone in Ligue 1. Marco Verratti, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Kylian Mbappe, Marquinhos and several others can expertly pass the ball, regardless of the distance. Their understanding of how to exploit their opponents allows them to play quick passes in tight spaces.
PSG's relentless pressing from the front also plays a huge factor in them quickly gaining possession of the ball. All of this has resulted in them completing 13183 passes out of the 14,713 they have attempted, at an incredible pass completion rate of 89.6%.
PSG are bound to win back their league crown this season. Their ability to retain possession through quick passing is likely to be a major reason for this.
