Wolfsburg 0-0 Paderborn - Bundesliga Relegation Playoff First Leg Match Report & Player Ratings

Wofsburg 0-0 Paderborn: Match Report & Player Ratings

The opening stages saw little goalmouth action, but the away side forced Wolfsburg keeper Kamil Grabara into the first save of the game. Diving low to his right to keep out an effort from Paderborn midfielder Santiago Castaneda in the opening ten minutes.

It took a while for a goalkeeper to be put through their paces, as 30 minutes in Wolfsburg had an effort of their own on target. As Wolfsburg wing-back Joakim Mæhle struck towards the bottom corner which was well saved by Dennis Seimen.

⏱️ 32’ | GREAT chance for the Wolves there, Daghim through on goal but his strike is saved from a tight angle!
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0-0 #WOBSCP#VfLWolfsburg 🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/chqrUYhl16

— VfL Wolfsburg EN/US 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@VfLWolfsburg_EN) May 21, 2026

That chance saw Wolfsburg begin to take control of the latter stages of the first half, with Seiman being made to keep out another Wolfsburg shot just minutes later, as Adam Daghim was played through by Mattias Svanberg, but his strike was too central and saved comfortably by the Paderborn stopper.

Half-Time: Wolfsburg 0-0 Paderborn

Daghim would have the best chance of the opening stages of the second half also go his way, as a cross from centre-back Jeanuel Belocian was met by the Wolfsburg striker, who's header was on target but saved again by Seimen who was strong between the sticks with another stop.

Wolfsburg continued to dominate, with Paderborn still failing to have a shot since the tenth minute heading into the midway stage of the second half.

Seimen would once again be the hero for Paderborn, at first keeping out a Christian Eriksen strike from outside the area, before a header from the resulting corner was put wide.

As the game reached stoppage time, Paderborn wing-backJonah Sticker would recieve a second yellow card for a foul, meaning a red card was issued with the defender now ruled out for the second leg.

In what had been a pretty one-sided half, Wolfsburg would have one more chance to earn a first leg advantage, as Eriksen had another long-ranged effort saved by Seimen, who's efforts in goal managed to earn his side a clean sheet.

🛑 FINAL

All to play for on Monday.
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0-0 #WOBSCP#VfLWolfsburg 🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/r9X0CBj6vp

— VfL Wolfsburg EN/US 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 (@VfLWolfsburg_EN) May 21, 2026

Paderborn may have been outplayed during the majority of the match, but thanks largely to their goalkeeper they managed to earn a crucial 0-0 draw ahead of the second leg at their home stadium.

Full-Time: Wolfsburg 0-0 Paderborn_

Player Ratings

Wolfsburg Ratings

• Grabara: 7

• Belocian: 7

• Vavro: 7

• Koulierakis: 8

• Kumbedi: 7

• Gerhardt: 6

• Svanberg: 7

• Eriksen: 6

• Mæhle: 7

• Daghim: 6

• Pejcinovic: 6

Paderborn Ratings

• Seiman: 9

• Hansen: 7

• Scheller: 7

• Brackelmann: 7

• Sticker: 5

• Klaas: 6

• Castaneda: 6

• Curda: 5

• Muller: 5

• Bibija: 5

• Marino: 5

Player Of The Match: Dennis Seimen

The Paderborn goalkeeper had a sensational performance, pulling off eight saves and keeping his side in the game.

At just 20 years old, Seimen looks to have a bright future ahead of him if today's performance is anything to go by.