Schalke's chances far above their away norm, yet only one goal

Hoffenheim beat Schalke 2-1 after scoring early, while the visitors created far more than they usually manage away from home.

Hoffenheim were in front inside ten minutes, when Fisnik Asllani scored, and they doubled their lead at 26 minutes through Tim Lemperle, who was set up by Asllani. Schalke then created far more than they usually manage away from home, but their only finish came from Junior Chukwubuike Adamu on 81 minutes. Early goals shaped this match more than anything that happened late.

Expected goals, usually shortened to xG, is a rough measure of how much each shot was worth, based on where it was taken from and how it was struck. A close chance counts for a lot, a long effort for very little, and adding them up shows how dangerous a side was rather than how lucky it was. Hoffenheim's total was close to their own home average, so their chance creation was ordinary for them. They had 14 shots, fewer than the 17.6 they average at home, and held 49% of the ball, down from a usual 55.5%. Their two goals were in line with their normal return at home.

Schalke's figures are where this match stands out. They had 23 shots, against a usual 9.4 on their travels, and 18 of those came from inside the box. Their expected goals reached 2.61, which is almost four times their away average and well above the league figure for a typical team. They also held 51% of the possession, compared with a usual 39.6% away, so they had more of the ball and better chances while doing it.

Hoffenheim's defence did a lot of the work. Ten of Schalke's shots were blocked and seven more were off target, and O. Baumann was rated 7 for his work in goal. Hoffenheim's chances were below what Schalke's defence usually concedes away from home, so the visitors kept the home side's chance creation in check, yet they still conceded twice against a usual 1.1. Neither side was sent off, and Schalke's only booking came in the 76th minute.

Asllani's goal and assist made him the central figure for Hoffenheim, and his rating of 8.5 reflects that. Lemperle also scored and was rated 8, which means both Hoffenheim goals were built by the same small group of players. Adamu's finish was the only Schalke goal, and it arrived after the visitors had spent much of the match shooting with purpose. The gap between their shots and their scoreline is the detail that will stay with anyone who watched.

Hoffenheim, who had been 14th on nine points, now have twelve. Schalke, who had won only one away match before this, still have six points from nine matches.

Player of the matchF. Asllani1 goal · 1 assist8.5

T. Lemperle1 goal8.0

K. Machida10 duels won7.3

J. Adamu1 goal7.3