Bundesliga Gameweek 2
1. FC Köln 4 - 1 FT SC Freiburg
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Futmetrix Verdict
100
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Manchester City
5-3
Sunderland
⚡ Intensity
100
⚖️ Balance
91
🏆 Stakes
67
🎲 Upset
0
Eight goals, hat-trick heroics, pure chaos.
Futmetrix Verdict
55
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Gamba Osaka
0-1
Vissel Kobe
⚡ Intensity
40
⚖️ Balance
20
🏆 Stakes
78
🎲 Upset
0
Erik breaks Gamba hearts at 90'
Futmetrix Verdict
100
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Atletico Madrid
2-1
Real Madrid
⚡ Intensity
86
⚖️ Balance
31
🏆 Stakes
100
🎲 Upset
60
A chaotic derby flips Madrid's hierarchy.
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Johan Manzambi 29'
35' J. Kaminski (M. Bulter)
41' Eric Martel
HT
46' ↓ T. Hubers ↑J. Schmied
↓ E. Dinkci ↑M. Rohl 46'
47' M. Bulter (J. Thielmann)
55' Joel Schmied
56' J. Thielmann (M. Bulter)
59' ↓ D. Huseinbasic ↑T. Krauss
68' ↓ K. Lund ↑J. Gazibegovic
68' ↓ J. Thielmann ↑S. El Mala
↓ Y. Suzuki ↑A. Jung 69'
↓ V. Grifo ↑N. Hofler 69'
76' ↓ M. Bulter ↑R. Ache
81' S. El Mala
M. Eggestein (C. Gunter) 84'
↓ L. Holer ↑J. Adamu 85'
↓ L. Kubler ↑P. Treu 85'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
1. FC Köln
Goalkeepers
Marvin Schwäbe 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Sebastian Sebulonsen 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Rav van den Berg
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Timo Hübers
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Kristoffer Lund
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Midfielders
Eric Martel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Denis Huseinbašić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
Jan Thielmann 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
10%
Pass Acc
Ísac Bergmann Jóhannesson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marius Bülter 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Forwards
Jakub Kamiński
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
15%
Pass Acc
BENCH
Ron-Robert Zieler 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Cenk Özkacar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jusuf Gazibegović
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joël Schmied
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Linton Maina
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Said El Mala 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Tom Krauß
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Ragnar Ache
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gian-Luca Waldschmidt
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
SC Freiburg
Goalkeepers
Noah Atubolu 
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Lukas Kübler
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
85
Entry
Matthias Ginter
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Philipp Lienhart 
MAGNET
89
Activity
89
Activity
83
Passes
6
Duels
Christian Günter
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
1
Assists
34%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Maximilian Eggestein
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Johan Manzambi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Eren Dinkçi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Yuito Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
69
Total Mins
69
Entry
Vincenzo Grifo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
69
Total Mins
69
Entry
Forwards
Lucas Höler
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
BENCH
Florian Müller
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Anthony Jung
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Philipp Treu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jordy Makengo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nicolas Höfler
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Merlin Röhl
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Derry Scherhant
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Junior Adamu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cyriaque Irié
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/31/2025 | 1. FC Köln | 4 - 1 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | RheinEnergieStadion |
| 05/04/2024 | 1. FC Köln | 0 - 0 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | Cologne Stadium |
| 12/17/2023 | SC Freiburg | 2 - 0 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | Europa-Park Stadion |
| 04/29/2023 | 1. FC Köln | 0 - 1 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | RheinEnergieStadion |
| 11/06/2022 | SC Freiburg | 2 - 0 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | Europa-Park Stadion |
| 02/05/2022 | 1. FC Köln | 1 - 0 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | RheinEnergieStadion |
08/31/2025
05/04/2024
12/17/2023
04/29/2023
11/06/2022
02/05/2022
1. FC Köln Win
SC Freiburg Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +7
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 4 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
1. FC Köln
SC Freiburg
1. FC Köln
SC Freiburg
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Bülter's Brilliance Exposes Freiburg's Possession Illusion
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 51/100. Köln deliver a masterclass in clinical finishing at the RheinEnergieStadion, turning Freiburg's 61% possession into a 4-1 rout that sends the visitors spiralling towards relegation trouble.
Possession Without Purpose
Freiburg controlled the pitch with 554 passes and 61% possession—the classic blueprint of dominance. Yet Köln wrote a different story. Intensity trumped patience. Marius Bülter orchestrated the chaos, weaving two assists into the early stages before scoring himself in the 47th minute. First came Jakub Kaminski's finish in the 35th minute, then Jan Thielmann's conversion in the 56th—a 9.2-rated performance that turned possession into punishment. Bülter's three key passes exposed the fundamental flaw in Freiburg's approach: all the ball in the world means nothing without the edge to finish.
The Second-Half Execution
The match pivoted immediately after the interval. Thielmann's strike in the 56th minute made it 3-0, and Freiburg's fate was sealed. Köln's shot efficiency—6 on target from 18 attempts versus Freiburg's 2 from 12—told the story. Balance had evaporated. Late drama arrived when substitute Soufiane El Mala added a fourth in the 81st minute, just 13 minutes after entering the pitch. Maximilian Eggestein pulled one back for Freiburg in the 84th, assisted by Christopher Günter, but it was merely consolation in a rout.
Relegation Stakes Shift
This defeat carries Stakes that sting. Freiburg sit 18th with zero points from two matches and a goal difference of -5. The relegation battle is already taking shape. Köln, conversely, have won both their opening fixtures and occupy third place with a +4 goal difference. The contrast is stark: Köln's defensive solidity (only one goal conceded) paired with their ruthless attack has them positioned as title contenders. Freiburg's possession-first philosophy has crumbled under the weight of poor finishing and defensive vulnerability—a cautionary tale of control without cutting edge.
Key Questions
What made Marius Bülter the Man of the Match?
Bülter combined a goal and two assists with three key passes. His 9.2 rating exemplified world-class efficiency in both creation and finishing.
What caused this five-goal thriller?
Freiburg's 61% possession met Köln's clinical finishing. Köln's 6 shots on target versus Freiburg's 2 proved quality beats quantity.
What does this mean for Köln's season?
Two wins from two matches and third place establishes Köln as title contenders. Freiburg face an early relegation battle.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Mid-table Equality: Köln and Freiburg Seek a Breakthrough
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 22/100. A battle for Balance as two sides tied on points attempt to pull away from the Bundesliga's congested middle pack.
The Setup
On August 31, 2025, the RheinEnergieStadion hosts a match defined by statistical symmetry. Both 1. FC Köln and SC Freiburg enter this fixture with exactly 16 points after 13 matches. Köln currently occupies 8th place, just one spot ahead of Freiburg in 9th. The Stakes involve more than just three points; it is a quest to break a cycle of inconsistency that has seen both teams struggle to maintain a winning Form. The hosts recently snapped a winless streak, while Freiburg continues to be the Bundesliga's quintessential "difficult to beat" unit.
Key Battle
The spotlight falls on the duel between Köln's primary attacking threat, Marius Bülter, and Freiburg's defensive anchor, Philipp Lienhart. Bülter represents the offensive Stars for the home side, carrying an impressive 7.7 match rating into the contest. His ability to find space in the box will be tested by Lienhart's disciplined positioning. Lienhart has averaged a 7.5 rating this season, proving that he can neutralize high-caliber forwards through anticipation rather than raw speed.
Our Prediction
This match has all the hallmarks of a tactical stalemate. Freiburg's offensive output often relies on the creative spark of Vincenzo Grifo, while Köln tends to rely on structured wide play to feed Bülter. Given that both sides possess nearly identical goal differences and point totals, neither is likely to overextend. We predict a 1-1 draw, as the teams cancel each other out in the midfield, leaving the RheinEnergieStadion with their mid-table status quo intact.