Bundesliga Final
VfL Wolfsburg 0 - 0 FT SC Paderborn 07
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
SC Paderborn 07
Match Events
R. Muller 9'
HT
↓ S. Klaas ↑S. Tigges 60'
↓ R. Muller ↑N. Batzner 60'
65' ↓ A. Daghim ↑M. Amoura
65' ↓ M. Svanberg ↑J. Lindstrom
74' ↓ Y. Gerhardt ↑L. Majer
↓ S. Marino ↑S. Michel 78'
S. Castaneda 82'
↓ F. Bilbija ↑F. Gotze 85'
85' ↓ S. Kumbedi ↑K. Paredes
87' L. Majer
J. Sticker 90'+2
J. Sticker 90'+4
J. Sticker 90'+4
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
VfL Wolfsburg
Goalkeepers
Kamil Grabara 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Jeanuël Belocian 
MAGNET
103
Activity
103
Activity
98
Passes
5
Duels
Denis Vavro
MAGNET
95
Activity
95
Activity
90
Passes
5
Duels
Konstantinos Koulierakis 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
78%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Mattias Svanberg 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Saël Kumbedi
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
85
Entry
Yannick Gerhardt
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Christian Eriksen
MAGNET
76
Activity
76
Activity
69
Passes
7
Duels
Joakim Mæhle
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Adam Daghim
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Dženan Pejčinović
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Pavao Pervan 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jonas Adjei Adjetey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aaron Zehnter
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Moritz Jenz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jesper Lindstrøm
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lovro Majer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kevin Paredes
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Mohamed Amoura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kento Shiogai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
SC Paderborn 07
Goalkeepers
Dennis Seimen 
OCTOPUS
6
Saves
6
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
Mattes Hansen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tjark Lasse Scheller
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Calvin Brackelmann 
ENFORCER
4
Tackles
4
Tackles
7
Duels Won
78%
Win %
Midfielders
Laurin Curda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Filip Bilbija
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
85
Entry
Santiago Castañeda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jonah Sticker 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
3
Fouls
6.9
Rating
Forwards
Ruben Müller
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Sebastian Klaas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Stefano Marino
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
Markus Schubert
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Felix Götze
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marcel Hoffmeier
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Niklas Mohr
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nick Bätzner
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
David Kinsombi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Steffen Tigges
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sven Michel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kennedy Okpala
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Barren Draw Leaves Survival Hanging in the Balance
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 30/100. A relentless attacking siege at the Volkswagen Arena yielded no breakthrough, leaving this high-stakes playoff tie perfectly poised for the second leg.
The Tense Standoff
High Stakes defined the incredibly tense early exchanges under the floodlights at the Volkswagen Arena. VfL Wolfsburg, fighting desperately for their top-flight survival after a dismal domestic campaign, immediately took control of the proceedings. They dominated possession, establishing a rhythm that forced SC Paderborn 07 into a deep, defensive posture almost immediately. The hosts moved the ball with clear intent, methodically racking up over 600 passes as they probed for a crucial opening. Maximilian Arnold attempted to dictate the tempo from the middle of the park, spraying passes out wide to stretch the pitch. Yet, despite holding all the territorial advantage, clear-cut opportunities remained elusive against a well-drilled, stubborn visitors' backline. It was a classic playoff standoff, with the home side monopolising the ball but struggling to find that killer pass.
The Red Card Siege
The entire complexion of this crucial playoff clash shifted dramatically when SC Paderborn 07 were reduced to ten men following a costly red card. This pivotal moment tipped the Balance completely in the hosts' favour, transforming the match into a completely one-sided attacking siege. Wolfsburg threw caution to the wind, unleashing a relentless barrage of 17 shots across the ninety minutes compared to a mere two from their shell-shocked opponents. However, despite their overwhelming numerical superiority and constant presence in the final third, the decisive touch repeatedly deserted the Bundesliga outfit. Paderborn's goalkeeper, Pelle Boevink, delivered a career-defining performance between the sticks, producing a total of six magnificent saves. His heroics frustrated the increasingly anxious home crowd and ensured that the challengers somehow kept their heads above water.
All Eyes on the Return Leg
Even with an incredibly high Intensity throughout the closing stages, Wolfsburg simply could not find a way to breach the resolute Paderborn rearguard. The final whistle confirmed a 0-0 stalemate, which undoubtedly feels like a massive missed opportunity for the top-flight club. Failing to capitalise on both their absolute statistical dominance and a prolonged period with an extra man leaves them incredibly vulnerable. The ultimate fate of both clubs now rests entirely on the decisive return leg scheduled for May 25th. Paderborn will take an extraordinary amount of belief and momentum from surviving this brutal onslaught away from home. The stage is now perfectly set for a nerve-wracking, winner-takes-all conclusion that will ultimately determine which side earns the right to compete in the Bundesliga next season.
Key Questions
What does this mean for VfL Wolfsburg's season?
Failing to win at home against ten men leaves their Bundesliga survival dangerously uncertain heading into the decisive away leg on May 25th.
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.
High Tension at the Volkswagen Arena
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 62/100. This winner-takes-all first leg sets the tone for a tie where the margins for error are virtually non-existent.
The Setup
The pressure is firmly on VfL Wolfsburg as they host the opening chapter of this massive two-legged tie at the Volkswagen Arena. Their home record has been nothing short of disastrous this term, with merely two victories in 17 attempts in front of their own fans. A dismal Form rating indicates severe vulnerability, giving SC Paderborn 07 real hope of securing a vital advantage away from home. The Stakes are absolutely off the charts—this is a genuine final where every tackle and pass carries immense weight. With the return leg looming shortly after on May 25, 2026, finding a competitive Balance early on is absolutely essential. While the matchup suffers from a modest Stars rating in terms of global household names, seasoned creators like Christian Eriksen can unlock tight defensive lines when it matters most.
Key Battle
This contest will be decided in the engine room rather than by individual flashes of brilliance. Wolfsburg's midfield must find a way to dictate possession and protect a notoriously fragile back line, while Paderborn's setup will look to expertly exploit spaces on the counter-attack. The collective tactical discipline of both units will be the defining factor of the evening.
Our Prediction
We expect a cagey affair heavily influenced by nerves. Wolfsburg are the technical favourites, but their lack of confidence on home turf will undoubtedly limit their attacking fluidity. Expect the home side to scrape a narrow 1-0 victory, leaving the tie completely in the balance ahead of the decisive second leg.