The second leg of the relegation playoff saw VfL Wolfsburg facing SC Paderborn in a decisive match. Wolfsburg, keen to avoid their first Bundesliga relegation in 29 years, took an early lead through Dženan Pejčinović. However, their advantage was short-lived when Joakim Mæhle received a red card, reducing them to ten men. Paderborn dominated possession, but Wolfsburg's defense held firm.
The game was intense, with multiple yellow cards issued and Paderborn pressing hard for an equalizer. Despite their efforts, they couldn't break through Wolfsburg's resilient defense. Key moments included a disallowed Paderborn goal due to an offensive foul and several near misses.
Off the field, the future of coach Dieter Hecking was a major talking point. Having steered the team away from the brink of relegation, he was considered for a contract extension or even a role as sporting director. Volkswagen's continued financial support, regardless of the outcome, provided further stability for the club.
The match underscored the high stakes of Bundesliga relegation battles and the significant impact on both the teams and their stakeholders.