Kifisia won at Iraklis with chances they rarely create

Kifisia came from behind twice to win 3-2 at Iraklis 1908, and their chances were far better than their usual away level.

Kifisia's chances were the story at Kaftanzoglio Stadio, where they came back from behind twice to win 3-2. Their expected goals total, a measure that adds up how likely each shot was to go in, reached 1.81. Away from home they usually reach around 0.66, so this was close to three times their normal level of chance creation.

Kifisia also had more of the ball than usual, with 59% possession, meaning the share of time a side spends in control of it. Their away average is 51.5%, so the change there was real but modest. The bigger shift was in shooting: they took 14 shots, well above their away average of 10.3 and also above the league average of 11.9 per side, which is the yardstick for every club in this competition.

Iraklis 1908 were the reverse. They had 41% of the ball, below their home norm of 44%, and took eight shots, short of that league average. Their chances were worth slightly less than usual, 0.71 against a home average of 0.81, yet they still scored more than they normally do. Sofian Chakla opened the scoring at 13 minutes, set up by Carles Soria, and Ivi López put them ahead again at 54. Soria finished with two assists and a rating of 7.4, the reason his name keeps appearing in the build-up.

Kifisia's response came in three goals, the first from Jeremy Antonisse at 33 minutes, assisted by Seedy Jagne. Jorge Pombo levelled at 77 and Ángelo Sagal scored the winner at 86, both moves finished in the closing stages. Pombo rated 8.2 and Sagal 8.1, with Sagal taking three shots, the most of anyone on the pitch. A goal for Kifisia at seven minutes was cancelled, and it did not change the outcome.

The defensive figures tell the other half. Iraklis conceded three goals at home, where their usual figure is 0.6, and Kifisia conceded chances worth 0.71 away from home, more than double their usual 0.33. Kifisia also conceded two, above their away average of 1.3, so both sides let in more than they normally do. Five goals in the match is well above the league average of 2.6 per game, which is why the scoreline reads the way it does.

Neither side had a player sent off, and the match was not reshaped by a penalty or a dismissal. What changed the result was who converted their chances, and Kifisia took more of them than their form would suggest. The result also reflects where both clubs stand: Iraklis 1908 are eighth with nine points from seven games, while Kifisia are 10th with eight from the same number of matches.

Player of the matchJorge Pombo1 goal8.2

Á. Sagal1 goal8.1

Carles Soria2 assists7.4

I. Jagne1 assist7.3