Just days after securing their playoff spot with a vital 3-1 win at Sankt Pauli, Wolfsburg faced a must-win situation on Thursday. Paderborn arrived buoyed by their own dramatic finish to the 2.Bundesliga season, having clinched third place with a 2-0 victory over Darmstadt, coupled with Hannover’s last-gasp 3-3 draw with Nuremberg.

Early pressure from Paderborn

The visitors started brightly, pressing aggressively and unsettling Wolfsburg’s defense. Paderborn nearly broke the deadlock early on, with a set-piece creating the best chance of the first half, forcing Kamil Grabara into a stunning double save. However, after this scare, Wolfsburg gradually took control, with captain Christian Eriksen pulling the strings.

Wolfsburg’s dominance falls short

Possession and attacking opportunities were firmly in Wolfsburg’s favor. The Wolves recorded eight shots to Paderborn’s one by halftime, and maintained relentless pressure in the second period, repeatedly testing the visitors’ compact defensive shape. Yet, despite dominating 63% of the ball and creating 15 shots in total, they failed to convert their dominance into goals.

As the clock ticked down, Paderborn were reduced to ten men following Jonah Sticker’s late red card. The visitors held firm, securing the goalless draw that leaves Wolfsburg with a mountain to climb ahead of the return fixture. The pressure now shifts to Paderborn, who will host Monday’s decisive clash at 20:30 local time.