Paderborn hold Wolfsburg to goalless draw in relegation play-off first-leg
Wolfsburg failed to break down a resolute Paderborn side in the first-leg of their relegation play-off tie, which ended in a 0-0 draw at the Volkswagen Arena.
Wolfsburg 0–0 Paderborn
Red card: Sticker 90'+4
Wolfsburg hosted Paderborn in the first-leg of this Bundesliga relegation play-off at the Volkswagen Arena. Wolfsburg, who have been in the Bundesliga since 1996/97, are fighting to preserve their top-flight status for a third time via the play-offs, having survived in 2017 and 2018. Paderborn, meanwhile, are appearing in the Bundesliga relegation play-off for the first time, having earned third place in Bundesliga 2 with an impressive 62-point haul.
Dieter Hecking made one change from the win at St. Pauli, with Yannick Gerhardt replacing the suspended Vinicius Souza. Ralf Kettemann's Paderborn also make a single enforced change, with Sebastian Klaas coming in for the suspended Mika Baur.
Paderborn make a bright start
Paderborn began the match with confidence and purpose, refusing to sit back against the Bundesliga side. The visitors had the game's first real chance in the ninth minute when a corner from Sebastian Klaas caused havoc in the Wolfsburg box.
Filip Bilbija headed goalwards from close range before the ball fell to Santiago Castaneda, whose volley was well saved by Kamil Grabara. The resulting counter-attack was halted by a foul from Ruben Müller, who was booked for his troubles. Wolfsburg gradually took control of possession and began to push Paderborn back into their own half as the match progressed.
Wolfsburg press but Seimen stands firm
The hosts grew into the match and created a succession of chances, but found Dennis Seimen in inspired form. The Paderborn goalkeeper made a fine save with his foot to deny Adam Daghim in the 32nd minute after Mattias Svanberg had played him through on goal.
Joakim Mæhle also had a shot saved in the 30th minute, while Jeanuël Belocian and Daghim both fired wide. In the 43rd minute, a deflected cross from Christian Eriksen almost crept in at the near post, but Seimen got two hands to it and pushed it clear. The sides went in level at the break, with Wolfsburg having the better of the closing stages but unable to find a way through.
Second half: Wolfsburg dominate but lack a cutting edge
Both sides were unchanged at the restart, with Wolfsburg continuing to dominate possession. Eriksen was a constant threat from set pieces, firing a free-kick straight at Seimen in the 67th minute after Konstantinos Koulierakis had won a free-kick just outside the box.
Wolfsburg made a double substitution on the hour mark, bringing on Mohamed Amoura and Jesper Lindström for Daghim and Svanberg in the 65th minute. Paderborn had also made changes, introducing Steffen Tigges and Nick Bätzner for Klaas and Müller in the 60th minute. Yannick Gerhardt was replaced by Lovro Majer in the 74th minute after picking up a knock.
Bilbija goes close before Sticker's red card
Paderborn came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 84th minute when Bätzner played a clever chip through to Filip Bilbija, who lobbed the onrushing Grabara, only for the ball to be cleared off the line by a combination of Denis Vavro and Mæhle. Bilbija was replaced by Felix Götze in the 85th minute, while Wolfsburg introduced Kevin Paredes for Saël Kumbedi.
The match ended in dramatic fashion when Jonah Sticker received two yellow cards in the space of two minutes in stoppage time - both for fouls on Paredes - and was sent off. Sticker will now miss the second leg in Paderborn. The match finished goalless, leaving everything to play for in the return fixture.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Wolfsburg 1.26 - Paderborn 0.57
Fastest player: Stefano Marino (Paderborn), 35.49 km/h
Most pressed player: Joakim Mæhle (Wolfsburg), 25 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Joakim Mæhle (Wolfsburg), +3.08
