Tumultuous is a word that perfectly describes SC Paderborn and their fortunes as a side in the last six years. After promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in 2014, they suffered an unceremonious fall from grace. In two successive seasons, they plummeted to the third tier of German football, 3. Liga. In their first season back in 3. Liga they finished 18th. Incredibly though, following back to back promotions, they find themselves once again in the Bundesliga.
Last season Paderborn finished second, in the 2. Bundesliga, winning automatic promotion at the expense of third-place Union Berlin, thanks to their superior goal difference. Only league winners FC Koln scored more than the Westphalian side.
Steffen Baumgart took over as manager of Paderborn back in 2017-18, his only previous managerial experience coming in the German fourth division. However, two successive promotions under Baumgart have led SC Paderborn back to the Bundesliga. This scout report and season preview will focus on the tactics that Baumgart favours, and how his new signings will fit into these tactics.
This summer’s challenges
The concern for Baumgart is how many goals they conceded in the 2. Bundesliga last season. It’s telling that 14th-placed Erzgebirge had a better defence than Paderborn. Conceding fewer goals than last season, without heavy investment in defensive talent is going to be a difficult task, and Paderborn has had to try to bring in what they can on a shoestring budget.
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