With several members of his squad away on international duty, head coach Bruno Labbadia used the encounter to give some of his fringe players valuable game time. The most eye-catching names on Labbadia’s team sheet were VfL captain Guilavogui and attacker Klaus, both of whom were making their comebacks from long-term injuries. Klaus, a summer arrival from Hannover 96, was appearing in green and white for the first time after suffering a stomach muscle injury in pre-season.
VfL Under-23 attacker Daniel Hanslik was also included in the hosts’ starting line-up and equalised for the Wolves (20’) after Julius Düker had given the East Westphalians the lead (13’), but second-half goals from Philipp Klement (78’) and Bernard Tekpetey (89’) condemned Labbadia’s side to defeat.
Chances at a premium for dominant Wolves
The Wolves dominated Thursday’s contest - which took place on the main pitch of the VfL training ground behind the Volkswagen Arena’s main stand - but despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. The visitors, meanwhile, were clinical in front of goal, taking the lead through Düker following Sven Michel’s through-ball, before Klement’s well-hit free-kick and Tekpetey’s smart finish on the counterattack completed the scoring in the second half.
The Green-Whites’ only goal of the game resulted from a misplaced pass from Paderborn goalkeeper Michael Ratajczak, which was intercepted by Renato Steffen before Hanslik slotted home. Chances were few and far between for Labbadia’s charges thereafter, with Klaus going closest to adding to Hanslik’s equaliser when he forced Ratajczak into a smart save with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area (18’).
VfL Wolfsburg: Pervan (46’ Menzel) – Verhaegh, Bruma, Knoche, Roussillon (46’ William) – Guilavogui (78’ May) – Gerhardt, Arnold (46’ Seguin) – Steffen (78’ Franke), Klaus (78’ Ziegele) – Hanslik (46’ Rexhbecaj)
SC Paderborn 07: Ratajczak – Boeder, Strohdiek, Hünemeier (46’ Schonlau), Herzensbruch (46’ Tawiah)– Gjasula (60’ Klement) – Antwi-Adjei (60’ Tekpetey), Schwede – Ritter – Düker (60’ Gueye), Michel (60’ Zolinski)
Goals: 0-1 Düker (13’), 1-1 Hanslik (20’), 1-2 Klement (78’), 1-3 Tekpetey (89’)
Referee: Harm Osmers (Bremen)
