Vincenzo Grifo’s Woeful Penalty Record Extends at SC Freiburg
Vincenzo Grifo’s penalty woes continued for SC Freiburg on Saturday as he missed his sixth consecutive spot-kick in the Bundesliga, a record only surpassed by Borussia Dortmund’s seven consecutive misses between 1963 and 1965.
Grifo’s latest miss came in a crucial 1-0 victory over FC St. Pauli, with Philipp Treu’s own goal in the 88th minute ultimately securing the three points for Freiburg. Despite the win, Grifo’s uncharacteristic blunder could have cost his team dearly.
The Italian forward attempted a cheeky chip down the middle of the goal, but his effort lacked power and St. Pauli goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj effortlessly saved. "I opted for that approach because I also missed in the first half of the season. I thought he would definitely dive this time," Grifo explained afterwards.
An additional factor may have contributed to Grifo’s misfortune: A tip from Noah Weißhaupt, a Freiburg loanee who joined St. Pauli in the winter break. "As far as I understand it, Noah Weißhaupt gave him [Vasilj] another nudge," Grifo said. "I think the goalkeeper was going to dive into the corner, but when Noah Weißhaupt, who I played with for three or four years, gives him some input that I might chip it into the middle, it’s bad luck for me."
Of Freiburg’s six consecutive missed penalties in the Bundesliga, three have been committed by Grifo. Lucas Höler has failed twice, while former Freiburg player Roland Sallai, who now plays for Galatasaray, missed once last season.
Despite his recent struggles, Grifo has received support from his teammates. "Vince has saved us countless times with crucial penalties," said captain Christian Günter. "Now it’s about clearing his head, practicing penalties, and simply scoring the next one. Then this issue will be over."
It’s worth noting that Grifo did convert Freiburg’s only penalty in the DFB-Pokal this season, a 2-1 victory over Hamburger SV.
Grifo’s Penalty Miss: A Deeper Analysis
Grifo’s penalty miss against St. Pauli raises questions about his technique and mindset. While his trademark chip has been successful in the past, it appears that opposing goalkeepers are catching on to his strategy.
Additionally, Grifo’s extended streak of misses could be affecting his confidence. The pressure to end the drought may be weighing on him, resulting in uncharacteristic mistakes.
It’s crucial for Grifo to work on his penalty technique and regain his confidence. This could involve practicing different approaches, such as driving the ball into the corner or placing it low to one side.
Freiburg’s Penalty Woes
Freiburg’s overall penalty record has been dismal recently, with just one successful conversion in their last seven attempts. This statistic highlights the need for the team to address their penalty-taking strategy as a whole.
The club may consider designating a dedicated penalty taker with a proven track record of success. Alternatively, they could introduce a system of rotating penalty takers to reduce the pressure on any one player.
Conclusion
Vincenzo Grifo’s penalty miss against St. Pauli was a costly mistake for SC Freiburg. While the team ultimately secured victory, Grifo’s struggles from the spot continue to raise concerns.
It’s essential for Grifo and Freiburg to address this issue by refining their penalty technique, managing their mindset, and implementing a more effective penalty-taking strategy. Only then can they hope to break this unfortunate streak and restore their confidence from the penalty spot.
