The SC Paderborn plowed through the Second and Third League with aggressive, offensive football in the past two years. Before the season, many wondered if their style was not too risky for the First League. The fear: Their game system brings them much praise - and many goals.
On the first five matchdays, this prophecy has come true. Paderborn is praised by opponents such as journalists, but stands with one point at the bottom of the table. In the 1: 2 defeat against Hertha they were - as in the weeks before - by no means chance. 18 to 6 shots, 62 percent possession of the ball: The climber played along, took the game in hand, moved forward courageously. Only in the decisive moments did they sleep; so before the 0: 1, when Herthas Javairô Dilrosun was allowed to march through Paderborn's defense.
"We had good chances and made a good game, but we do not reward ourselves," said Paderborn coach Steffen Baumgart after the game. Our grading system SPIX also reflects this. Despite defeat, two Paderborns have made the leap into the Topelf thanks their strong statistical values. More players this week only the upcoming opponent of Paderborn: Bayern Munich. Even against the record champions it will be difficult for the newcomer to receive not only praise, but also points.
A lot of praise, but no points: This formula can also be applied to Zack Steffen this weekend. The goalkeeper of Fortuna Dusseldorf grew in the derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach beyond. Six times he parried shots from the shortest distance. At the score of 1: 1 he had to intervene twice within a few seconds, with strong reflexes he kept his team in the game. Steffens Fahel capacity was not enough: Dusseldorf lost the game 1: 2.
How defensively the Hertha against Paderborn occurred, proves the statistics. The most striking man of the Berlin was not an attacker, but a defender: Dedryck Boyata won four of his five tackles , he also caught five opposing passes; Highest on this Bundesliga game day. He was Hertha's insurance in defense. At his side in the Topelf is Leipzig's Willy Orban . He scored in the 3-0 win against Werder Bremen after a corner kick to the interim 1: 0.
Jamilu Collins has kicked off with SC Paderborn two years ago in the third division. Within Paderborn's aggressive game system, he has to advance as a full-back also against the ball enormously. He impressed against Hertha in the pressing: he was able to win four balls, intercept two passes, and collected twelve second balls. Leipzig Marcelo Saracchi in turn met against Bremen after his substitution to 3: 0. It was his first Bundesliga goal.
Full-back or six? Which position should Joshua Kimmich play? That's the big question for Niko Kovac. In 4: 0 against 1. FC Köln played Kimmich in midfield. Statistically, however, his partner stood out on the double six: Corentin Tolisso cleared everything that stood in his way. He conquered 14 second balls, more than any other Bundesliga player on this day. Kimmich as a game designer, Tolisso as a balleroberer: Is there a long-term solution in Bayern's midfield? Thiago will also file claims. A luxury problem for Kovac.
The midfield is firmly in the hands of the two self-proclaimed title candidates. Bayern's Ivan Perišic proved on the weekend that he is an alternative to Kingsley Coman. Not only did the Croat score a goal, he also pulled past his opponent in three of his four dribbles. Borussia Dortmund Thorgan Hazard convinced as a preparer. In the 2: 2 in Frankfurt, the Belgian put on a goal and two more chances to score.
The distinction between defensive and offensive midfielder hits the SPIX based on the average position of a player. If he acts closer to his own defenders than to the strikers, he is classified as a defensive midfielder. Axel Witsel, in turn, moved so far from his six-position position at the weekend that he was closer to striker Paco Alcácer than defender Mats Hummels. This is also proven by his offensive values: Witsel not only scored one goal and prepared one, he also put six more chances for his teammates on. He even towered over the strong Bayern star Philippe Coutinho (SPIX: 98).
He came to Paderborn as a defender - and now shines Ben Zolinski as a striker. Not only did he score a goal against Hertha BSC, but he was also directly involved in half of all the Paderborn shots: he put on six and gave two away. Only Bayern's Robert Lewandowski scored a higher SPIX at the weekend. No wonder: the scorer scored his season goals number eight and nine. He relinquished the tenth goal of the season with an open mind: he left Coutinho the execution of a penalty. Even without penalty kick Lewandowski is currently in the footsteps of Gerd Müller. Meets Lewandowski on as often, he surpasses Müller's record of 40 goals from the 1971/72 season.