SC Freiburg imposed territorial and ball control from the outset, ending with 59% possession and 459 passes at 88% accuracy. Their 4-2-3-1 was clearly built to circulate in the opposition half, with 17 of their 21 shots coming from inside the box, showing sustained occupation of advanced zones. Maccabi Tel Aviv, in a 3-4-2-1, accepted a reactive role with 41% possession and 334 passes (82% accuracy), focusing on compactness rather than buildup. The Israeli side controlled space more than the ball, keeping Freiburg away from clear central lanes for long stretches, but struggled to turn regains into meaningful counters, reflected in just 4 total shots and an xG of 0.17.
Offensive Efficiency
Freiburg’s game plan was clear: heavy volume and repeated penalty-area entries rather than speculative efforts. Their 21 total shots, with 6 on target and an xG of 2.96, underline a chance-creation strategy based on sustained pressure rather than isolated breaks. The 5 corners they earned further confirm territorial dominance. However, converting only once from that shot volume and xG points to a lack of cutting edge in the final action: finishing and decision-making in the box did not match the quality of the buildup.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, by contrast, produced a textbook low-output, low-threat attacking display. Four total shots, only 3 on target, and a microscopic xG of 0.17 indicate that their counters rarely progressed into genuinely dangerous positions. The 4 corners suggest they occasionally advanced, but without consistent multi-phase attacks. Their triple attacking substitution on 63 minutes (introducing Kervin Andrade, Yonas Malede and Hélio Varela) was a clear attempt to add transition threat, yet the underlying numbers show Freiburg’s structure largely absorbed those changes.
Defensive Discipline & Intensity
The foul count illustrates contrasting defensive strategies. Freiburg committed only 9 fouls and received no yellow cards, pointing to a controlled, position-based defense where they relied on structure more than disruption. Their goalkeeper Noah Atubolu needed to make just 3 saves, and with Maccabi’s xG at 0.17, Freiburg’s back four kept danger to a minimum.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, with 14 fouls and 3 yellow cards, leaned on a more disruptive approach, especially in midfield. Cards for Ben Lederman (45’), Sagiv Jehezkel (63’) and Andrade (69’) show how often they had to break up Freiburg’s rhythm. Yet despite this aggression, Freiburg still generated 6 shots on target and nearly 3 xG, suggesting Maccabi’s block was hardworking but ultimately porous rather than impenetrable. Goalkeeper Roei Mashpati’s 4 saves limited the damage but did not transform the game.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Freiburg’s territorial dominance and chance volume (21 shots, 2.96 xG, 59% possession) overcame Maccabi Tel Aviv’s compact, foul-heavy resistance and minimal attacking output. Efficiency was imperfect, but Freiburg’s sustained pressure and control of space eventually translated into a deserved narrow win.
