Leverkusen and Freiburg trade early blows in a first half of fine margins

Freiburg struck first at the BayArena, and they struck through the player who has been the most dangerous presence on the pitch. In the 14th minute, Philipp Treu supplied the assist and Derry Scherhant finished with his left foot from a chance worth 0.29 xG — the highest-quality opportunity either side has created. It was a goal built on open play, and it gave the visitors a lead their first-half performance broadly deserved.

Leverkusen's response took five minutes. Ibrahim Maza levelled in the 19th, finishing with his right foot from a Patrik Schick assist. The chance was worth just 0.12 xG — a fraction of Scherhant's — but Maza took it, and that is the story of Leverkusen's half in miniature: fewer clear sights, one clinical finish.

The half-time numbers say Freiburg have been the better side between the boxes. They hold 53% of the ball and have completed 226 passes at 85% accuracy, against Leverkusen's 194 at 84%. More tellingly, Freiburg have played 99 passes in the opposition half to Leverkusen's 63, and they have won 28 duels to Leverkusen's 18. That is territorial and physical control.

It has not translated into a lead. Both sides have had three shots and one on target. Freiburg edge the expected goals 0.38 to 0.30, and the open-play split is more pronounced still: 0.35 to 0.20 in Freiburg's favour. Leverkusen's only edge in chance creation comes from set plays, where they lead 0.10 to 0.04. Freiburg have also put eight touches in the box to Leverkusen's six, and both teams have created one big chance apiece.

The shape notes list both sides in a 4-2-3-1, and the half has played out as a contest between Freiburg's ability to progress the ball into the opposition half and Leverkusen's ability to make their rarer entries count. Freiburg have had more of the ball and more of the territory; Leverkusen have the goal that matters.

Scherhant leads the individual numbers with his goal and 0.29 xG, and on this evidence he is the player Leverkusen's back line will be most relieved to see substituted. Treu has the assist. For Leverkusen, Maza has the goal, Schick the assist and 0.21 xG of his own — the striker has been involved in the two most consequential Leverkusen moments without scoring himself.

Discipline is worth a note. Leverkusen have committed eight fouls to Freiburg's four, and Freiburg have the half's only yellow card. If the second half follows the first, the question is whether Freiburg's control finally produces a second goal, or whether Leverkusen's efficiency does.