Christian Eriksen and his teammates couldn't manage more than a draw. © ANSA / FILIP SINGER

Only a draw: Wolfsburg must tremble in the relegation play-offs.

VfL Wolfsburg's fight to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga continues. After their impressive comeback in recent weeks, they only managed a draw in the first leg of their relegation playoff against second-division side SC Paderborn.

21 May 2026

From: dpa

In front of 27.800 spectators at the sold-out Volkswagen Arena, the underdog earned a good starting position for the second leg on Whit Monday at their own stadium thanks to the 0-0 draw. However, Jonah Sticker will have to watch from the sidelines after receiving a late yellow-red card (90+4).

Reaching these relegation play-offs was a success for both teams, Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking had predicted. His VfL Wolfsburg had been in a direct relegation spot until the 32nd matchday. Paderborn only climbed to third place in the second division on the final matchday of the season. Accordingly, only the underdog initially appeared confident. Paderborn could have taken the lead as early as the 9th minute when Santiago Castaneda got a shot away from close range after a corner. However, Wolfsburg defender Jeanuel Belocian and goalkeeper Kamil Grabara cleared the ball off the goal line.

Wolfsburg is shying away from the risk.

The second-division side defended with discipline, displayed excellent ball control, and benefited from Wolfsburg's reluctance to take risks in these opening minutes of what would be at least 180 minutes of the relegation playoff. VfL struggled more than expected after their recent successes and only became more dominant after half an hour. Their best chance fell to Adam Daghim in the 32nd minute, when a through ball from Mattias Svanberg left him unmarked in front of the Paderborn goal, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Dennis Seimen.

Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking. © ANSA / FILIP SINGER

Otherwise, VfL Wolfsburg only managed half-chances before the break: a long-range shot from Denis Vavro (23rd minute), a nice attack down the right flank which Joakim Maehle failed to connect with properly (30th minute), and a dangerously deflected cross from Christian Eriksen (43rd minute). The atmosphere in the Volkswagen Arena was as loud and energetic as it rarely is. The matches of the past few weeks have brought fans and team back together. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume was also in the stands, waving a green and white scarf.

Dominant, but harmless

In the 51st minute, he almost had his first reason to celebrate. But once again, Paderborn's goalkeeper Seimen stood in the way of the speedy Daghim. This time, he cleared a cross from the Dane. Two Wolfsburg attackers had been waiting in excellent position in front of the goal for that ball.

Paderborn dreams of promotion. © ANSA / FILIP SINGER

What worked in VfL Wolfsburg's favor that evening was their unwavering patience and structured approach, allowing them to steadily increase the pressure. Unlike before the break, they effectively thwarted almost every Paderborn counter-attack as far back as the halfway line. The visitors barely had a chance to catch their breath. However, the Bundesliga side remained toothless in the final third. A header from Daghim (63rd minute), a free kick from Eriksen (67th minute) – both lacked bite. The attacking substitutions of Mohammed Amoura and Lovro Majer did little to change this. Wolfsburg failed to capitalize on their significant quality advantage. In the end, VfL were even fortunate when Filip Bilbija squandered Paderborn's second clear-cut chance (84th minute).

Bundesliga, relegation:

WfL Wolfsburg – SC Paderborn 0:0