Highlights

Matchday 5

FINAL

Europa-Park Stadion

FC St. Pauli

72'

SaadElias Saad

45'

AfolayanOladapo Afolayan

12'

SaadElias Saad

T. Gerach

Europa-Park Stadion

Full time: Freiburg 0-3 St. Pauli

It’s a huge result in every sense for the visitors, who collect their first win of the Bundesliga season. They only had one point and one goal on the board prior to today, but they executed their game plan to perfection in the Black Forest. Freiburg had more possession but struggled to create chances, whereas Pauli were ruthless in front of goal and fully deserve this morale-boosting victory.

Full-time

90'

+ 5

Yellow card

Scott Banks

90'

+ 3

Yellow card

Nicolas Höfler

90'

Substitution

Danel Sinani

Oladapo Afolayan

90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.

Elias Saad32.69km/h

Oladapo Joshua Afolayan31.85km/h

Jackson Alexander Irvine31.47km/h

88'

Ruthless

xGoals

The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).

Pauli have scored two more goals than expected today, per their xG.

xGoals

1.01

1.5

Goals

85'

SituationGoal

ReviewOffside?

DecisionNo goal

85'

Another goal disallowed

It's just not Freiburg's day today. Höler darts into the box on the right and pulls the ball back into the middle, where Dōan pokes in from close range. It's ruled out for offside following another VAR review though. That's a missed penalty and two goals chalked off for the hosts today...

84'

Consolation?

To their credit, Freiburg haven't given up and are still trying to get at least a goal back. They've lacked the necessary spark in the final third all day, though.

83'

Substitution

Andreas Albers

Elias Saad

80'

Substitution

Nicolas Höfler

Maximilian Eggestein

77'

Substitution

Scott Banks

Johannes Eggestein

77'

Substitution

Adam Dźwigała

Manolis Saliakas

74'

Substitution

Michael Gregoritsch

Junior Adamu

73'

Game over?

It's another clinical finish from Pauli, who are well on course for a smash-and-grab win here. Take nothing away from Saad though, who drives forward down the left, skips past three defenders and shoots. It's straight at Atabolu, who should do better, but can only palm it into his own net.

72'

Elias Saad

GOAL!

0:3

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

15 %

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

86.34 km/h

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

13.8 m

71'

No end product

Freiburg are still having the majority of possession but they're struggling to do anything with it from open play. Their best two chances in this game have both been from dead-ball situations: Grifo's missed penalty and Lienhart's disallowed goal from a free-kick.

Goal attempts

3off target

2on target

6off target

3on target

64'

Goal disallowed!

Grifo whips an in-swinging free-kick into the box from the left, perfectly picking out Lienhart to head in from close range! After a VAR review, however, the goal is ruled out for offside.

64'

SituationGoal

ReviewOffside?

DecisionNo goal

64'

Substitution

Lucas Höler

Patrick Osterhage

64'

Substitution

Florent Muslija

Lukas Kübler

63'

Yellow card

Manolis Saliakas

61'

Free-kick

It's another free-kick in a promising position for Pauli. Smith takes it again and tries the same trick as in the first half: instead of crossing into the middle he bends the ball around the outside of the wall towards the near post. Atubolu reads his intentions though and makes a comfortable save.

58'

Changes afoot?

You suspect that Freiburg coach Schuster will be thinking about bringing on some substitutes soon if his team are to turn this around. They've looked toothless so far in attack. Gregoritsch and Höler would be the leading candidates to come off the bench.

55'

Winning chances

Freiburg were the favourites for the win at kick-off, but the points are now Pauli's to lose.

16.1 %

Now

79.5 %

53'

Yellow card

Johannes Eggestein

50'

More of the same

The game is following the same pattern as the first half so far: Freiburg have the ball and are playing in Pauli's half, but they're not looking dangerous. The visitors are waiting to pounce on the counter.

46'

Peeeep!

And we're up and running again in the Black Forest.

Kick-off!

45'

+ 3

Substitution

Noah Weißhaupt

Eren Dinkçi

45'

+ 3

Substitution

Connor Metcalfe

Carlo Boukhalfa

Half-time

Half-time: Freiburg 0-2 St. Pauli

The visitors are on course for their first Bundesliga win of the season thanks to a pair of clinical finishes. Freiburg were on top and in control of the game when Saad struck after 12 minutes. They could have equalised shortly before the interval but Grifo was denied from the penalty spot, and then Afolayan doubled their advantage with a poacher’s finish on the stroke of half-time.

45'

+ 1

Pauli double their lead!

Saad mis-hits his attempted shot inside the box but it falls perfectly for Afolayan, who makes no mistake with a first-time strike from close to the penalty spot.

45'

Oladapo Afolayan

GOAL!

0:2

Goal probability

18 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

10.16 m

44'

Yellow card

Lukas Kübler

42'

Penalty saved!

Vasilj guesses the right way, going low to his left to stop Grifo's spot-kick before scrambling to gather up the rebound!

41'

Penalty missed!

Taker:

Vincenzo Grifo

40'

Penalty to Freiburg!

Ginter is brought to ground inside the Pauli box while trying to get on the end of a cross from the left. The referee checks his pitch-side monitor and wards a penalty.

40'

SituationNo penalty

ReviewFoul?

DecisionPenalty

39'

Hope for Freiburg

Julian Schuster's side have gone behind in each of their three Bundesliga home games this season. However, they still managed to come from behind to win the previous two: a 3-1 success against VfB Stuttgart and a 2-1 victory over Bochum.

36'

Crossbar!

Smith takes the set piece, disguising it brilliantly. Instead of crossing into the crowded centre, he goes around the other side of the wall and smacks his effort off the bar!

35'

Free-kick to Pauli

Ginter is booked for hauling down Saad just outside the Freiburg box, over towards the right...

34'

Yellow card

Matthias Ginter

30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.

Elias Saad32.69km/h

Patrick Osterhage31.43km/h

Manolis Saliakas30.77km/h

First for Saad

It's the Pauli forward's first-ever Bundesliga goal. It's perhaps unsurprising that he's the scorer given that five of his seven strikes in the second division last season were to put his side 1-0 up.

23'

Sitting deep

Pauli are currently happy to let Freiburg come at them. There's no high press; the visitors only begin to harry and chase once Freiburg cross the halfway line.

20'

Keeping ball

Freiburg are still dominating possession as they look for a way back into this game, but aside from that Grifo free-kick a short while ago they haven't really had a sight of goal.

Possession (%)

6733

16'

Grifo special

Freiburg win a free-kick just outside the Pauli penalty area. Grifo takes it and lifts the ball up and over the wall, but it lacks the pace to beat the goalkeeper.

13'

Pauli lead!

It's the first shot of the game and it's a goal. Freiburg struggle to deal with a ball into their box from the right and Saad manages to wriggle free to poke in from close range!

12'

Elias Saad

GOAL!

0:1

Goal probability

45 %

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

78.09 km/h

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

10.85 m

No holds barred

Pauli have struggled so far this season, with three defeats and one draw so far, so they're trying to get the upper hand via winning challenges.

Tackles won

Slow burner?

So far the teams are taking a softly softly approach, not wanting to risk too much too early.

Here we go!

The visitors get the ball rolling in Freiburg!

Kick-off!

0:11

Watch: Freiburg out to warm up

100 up for Eggestein

That's Freiburg's Maximilian, who makes his 100th Bundesliga appearance for Freiburg. And it comes in the game where he comes up against his brother Johannes for Pauli. You suspect there might be a few Eggesteins inside the Europa-Park Stadion today.

0:12

Watch: Pauli players take in the Europa-Park Stadion

Both sides unchanged

Julian Schuster sees no reason to alter his team that won 3-0 in Heidenheim last week. Alexander Blessin also sticks with the same XI that started the goalless draw with Leipzig.

1:03

Watch: Pauli arrive in Freiburg

Pauli starting XI

Vasilj - Wahl, Smith, Mets - Saliakas, Irvine (c), Boukhalfa, Treu - Ofalayan, J. Eggestein, Saad

Pauli subs

Voll, Nemeth, Stevens, Ritzka, Dzwigala, Metcalfe, Sinani, Banks, Albers

Freiburg starting XI

Atubolu - Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart, Günter (c) - M. Eggestein, Osterhage - Dōan, Dinkçi, Grifo - Adamu

Freiburg subs

Müller, Makengo, Ogbus, Weißhaupt, Muslija, Höfler, Manzambi, Höler, Gregoritsch

Probable teams

Who’s set to play this weekend? Who’s going to miss out? Keep up to date with all the latest team news right here!

Schuster on St. Pauli

"St. Pauli put in a great performance against Leipzig and had good chances. It was the same in the other games too. We have been warned. They play great football and have played like a team, too."

Blessin on Freiburg

"Freiburg have done fantastically well in recent years. It's something of a fairytale, even, what they have achieved on a comparatively small budget. When a new manager comes in, you don't know what to expect, but their start speaks for itself. We know they can be dangerous, but we want to look at our last game and use that as inspiration."

Freiburg team news

A slew of injuries means we may not yet have even seen the best of Freiburg this term. Alongside long-term absentee Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, Mervin Röhl and Kevin Sildillia are ruled out of this one, although Michael Gregoritsch, Maximilian Philipp and Max Rosenfolder could be available once more.

St. Pauli team news

Alexander Blessin is still without Robert Wagner for this clash after the midfielder failed to recover in time from his bout of tonsilitis. Striker Morgan Guilavogui is a doubt with a thigh issue.

0:54

Watch: St. Pauli's title celebrations

The Kiezkicker will hope to be inspired by their title-winning Bundesliga 2 campaign in 2023/24. Take a look at the celebrations here.

Adamu to continue fine form?

The Freiburg striker has started the campaign in fantastic form, contributing to five goals in as many competitive games this term (four goals, one assist). His first two Bundesliga goals since his January move from Red Bull Salzburg came against Bochum on Matchday 3, and he will be eager to add to his tally here.

Joint-best start to a season

Freiburg are adapting well to life with Christian Streich. Under new boss Julian Schuster, they have picked up nine points from a possible 12 this term, their joint-best start to a Bundesliga campaign. They will be hoping to add another win here.

Strong Bundesliga record against Freiburg

While Pauli are still waiting to end that top-flight drought, they do at least have happy memories of facing Freiburg in the Bundesliga. They have lost just one of their eight meetings with the Bresigau Brasilianer amongst the elite, with Freiburg only winning a smaller percentage of their matches against Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

Long time coming

Promoted at the end of last season after 13 years away from the big time, Pauli are winless in 16 Bundesliga matches, dating back to a 1-0 victory at city rivals Hamburg on 16 February 2011. Seventeen would equal the club's unwanted record.

2:03

Watch: Heidenheim 0-3 Freiburg - highlights

Julian Schuster's Freiburg climbed to third in the table with an impressive win away to Heidenheim.

2:03

Watch: St. Pauli 0-0 Leipzig - highlights

After three straight defeats to start the season, promoted Pauli held Leipzig for their first Bundesliga point in 13 years.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 5 fixture between SC Freiburg and FC St. Pauli.