Wolfsburg battles to 0-0 draw against Paderborn in Bundesliga relegation playoff
The first leg of the Bundesliga relegation playoff ended goalless on Thursday as Wolfsburg, 16th in the standings, was held to a 0-0 draw by third-tier Paderborn. The Wolves dominated proceedings but must now secure their Bundesliga survival in the return leg in Paderborn on Monday evening.
Wolfsburg entered the match under pressure, having clinched their playoff spot with a crucial 3-1 victory at Sankt Pauli just days earlier. Paderborn, meanwhile, arrived buoyed by a contrasting momentum, having secured third place in 2.Bundesliga with a 2-0 win over Darmstadt, coupled with Hannover’s dramatic 3-3 draw against Nuremberg.
The opening exchanges favored Paderborn, whose players pressed aggressively and transitioned swiftly into attack. Their best chance of the first half came from a corner, which Kamil Grabara parried with two stunning saves. However, Wolfsburg gradually asserted control, with captain Christian Eriksen orchestrating their dominance.
Wolfsburg’s dominance on display
The Wolves controlled possession for long stretches and created numerous chances, particularly in the second half, where their pressing intensified. Despite outshooting Paderborn 15 to 1, Wolfsburg failed to convert their dominance into goals. The visitors’ defensive structure proved resilient, even after they were reduced to ten men in stoppage time when Jonah Sticker received a red card.
With 63% possession and a 15-1 shot tally, Wolfsburg’s frustration grew as the final whistle blew. Paderborn will now host the return leg on Monday at 20:30, where they will look to capitalize on Wolfsburg’s missed opportunities. The Bundesliga side must win without conceding to avoid relegation.
