Frankfurt and Köln Reach Half-Time Level as Chaïbi Leads the Home Threat

Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FC Köln go into half-time at 0-0, with the visitors producing more shots and the hosts controlling more of the ball. Frankfurt had 58% possession and completed 193 passes at 81%, yet Köln attempted seven shots to Frankfurt’s four. The difference has not produced a goal: both sides have three shots on target between them, and the first half’s expected goals stand at 0.42 for Frankfurt and 0.47 for Köln.

Frankfurt’s 4-4-2 and Köln’s 3-4-2-1 set the broad shape of a half in which neither side turned its share of possession into a clear advantage on the scoreboard. Frankfurt made 86 passes in the opposition half, more than twice Köln’s 41, and reached the penalty area 10 times. Köln had 11 touches in the box, one more than the home side, despite seeing less of the ball.

Farès Chaïbi was Frankfurt’s most notable individual attacking contributor, recording 0.22 xG. He accounted for just over half of the home side’s total expected goals, but Frankfurt’s overall open-play figure of 0.42 shows that their threat was not confined to one player. The hosts put three of their four attempts on target, giving them the stronger return for accuracy even as they took fewer shots.

That territorial edge has not yet become a decisive opening. Frankfurt’s greater passing volume and presence in the opposition half have helped them advance the ball, but Köln have kept the score level and matched the hosts for touches inside the box. The sides also have two corners apiece, leaving little between them in that route to goal.

Köln’s seven attempts came with 42% possession and a 73% pass-completion rate across 121 accurate passes. Marius Bülter registered 0.28 xG, the highest individual figure listed for either side, and was a key part of the visitors’ chance threat. Köln’s two shots on target came from a lower total than Frankfurt’s, while their overall expected-goals tally edged the hosts by 0.05.

The source of that narrow edge matters: Köln generated 0.24 xG from set plays, compared with none for Frankfurt, while the home side led 0.42 to 0.23 in open-play xG. The visitors have therefore found their best route through dead-ball situations; Frankfurt have created their threat in open play. Neither pattern has produced the breakthrough.

Frankfurt won 37 duels to Köln’s 21, but that advantage has not translated into a lead. With the score still 0-0, the second half turns on whether Frankfurt can make their possession count more often in front of goal, or whether Köln can convert their higher shot volume and set-piece threat into the first goal.