Freiburg's chances far above normal as Union barely shot

SC Freiburg beat Union Berlin 2-0 with chances well above their usual level, while Union kept their usual share of the ball and still had almost nothing to show for it.

Union Berlin had 41% of the ball at the Europa-Park-Stadion, which is exactly what they usually have away from home. What they lacked was a shot. They managed four attempts in total and not one of them was on target, against an average of 10.9 shots a match on their travels. A side can keep the ball as normal and still create nothing, and that is what happened here.

SC Freiburg had 59% of the ball, well above the 50.8% they average at home, and they turned that possession into far more danger. Their expected goals, a measure that scores each chance by how often such shots usually go in, came to 2.2. Their usual figure is 1.24. Most of their nineteen shots came from inside the box, which is where the good chances are created.

The first goal arrived in the 55th minute, an own goal by Rani Khedira. The second came in the 67th, when Yuito Suzuki scored from an assist by Derry Lionel Scherhant. Vincenzo Grifo then missed a penalty in the 84th minute, which left the scoreline where it was but denied the home side a more comfortable finish. Neither side had a player sent off, and the match was largely settled by then.

F. Rønnow was the reason Union were not further behind. He made seven saves and was rated 8.3, the best mark on the pitch, and his work kept the scoreline from becoming a heavier defeat. Freiburg also kept a clean sheet, which is unusual for them at home, where they normally concede around 1.3 goals a match. This time they conceded none.

Across the division, matches have averaged 3.5 goals each, and this one produced just two. Freiburg's expected goals of 2.2 were well above the league's average of 1.58 per side, while Union's figure of 0.19 sat far below their own away usual. The league average shot count per side is 15, and Union's four attempts fell well short of it. Their goal tally was also below their usual away level, as they scored none where they normally score 0.9.

The win moved Freiburg further up the table in a season that has rewarded them with consistency at home. Their defensive figures this afternoon were unusually tight, but the attacking side of the game was where the difference lay. Union, meanwhile, have now been held to little in the attacking third on their travels.

Freiburg, with 16 points from eight matches, sit fourth in the table. Union, on seven points from the same number of games, are 16th.

Player of the matchF. Rønnow8 saves8.3

Y. Suzuki1 goal8.0

D. Scherhant1 assist7.7

M. Ginter11 duels won7.3