Opposition Check: SC Paderborn 07

The origins of SC Paderborn 07 date back to a merger in 1985, when SV 07/10 Schloß Neuhaus and FC Paderborn joined forces – a decision that seemed unthinkable to many at the time, but is now considered the foundation of the club as it exists today. In the first season after the merger, passion and fighting spirit dominated: the runner-up finish in the Oberliga (fifth tier) and a memorable DFB Cup appearance against Borussia Dortmund remain etched in memory. The following decades saw highs and lows – including promotion to the newly formed Regionalliga (fourth tier), setbacks such as relegation on the final matchday, but also great successes like immediate promotion back to the Oberliga and multiple state cup victories. Crucially, one thing always remained constant: continuous development and the will to build something.

In the new millennium, SC Paderborn 07 continued its journey to the professional leagues. After years of stabilization, the long-awaited leap into the 2. Bundesliga was achieved in 2005, sparking great enthusiasm in the region and elevating the club to a new level. Seasons of thrilling matches, relegation play-offs, and finally, the first-ever promotion to the Bundesliga in the 2013/14 season followed – an absolute highlight for the club and its fans. But football is a game of extremes: after the soaring success came relegation, which even saw SC Paderborn 07 temporarily drop down to the 3. Liga. However, instead of giving up, SC Paderborn used this period as an opportunity for a fresh start and continued to develop.

Present day: Paderborn currently sits in fourth place in the 2. Bundesliga with 32 points. We’ve taken a closer look at their opponent for the final match of the first half of the season in our opponent analysis.

SC Paderborn 07 impressed this season primarily with their formidable heading ability. With eight headed goals, they are the most dangerous team in the air across the league. This strength is also reflected in their finishing: 60 headed shots represent the best record in the league and underline SCP’s constant presence and penetrative power in the air.

Sometimes it’s the little things that reveal the most about a person. A tattoo, inconspicuous to outsiders, but full of meaning for the wearer. The Peter Pan motif on Felix Götze’s skin is just such a symbol. It represents a shared understanding between brothers, memories that stretch back to childhood. „With Peter’s motto ‚Never grow up,‘ we felt a strong connection back then – and we still do today,“ the SC Paderborn centre-back told the club’s media. It’s an unspoken principle between the brothers. This curiosity, lightness, and joy – despite growing expectations – accompany Felix Götze to this day. They help him keep a clear head in moments of pressure and remind him why he chose this path in the first place. For him, football has never been just about performance or career, but always also about a game: a place where passion and freedom come together.

Born on February 11, 1998, in Dortmund, Felix Götze grew up surrounded by football. From an early age, he was drawn to the pitch. He took his first steps in organised football at Hombrucher SV, where his talent and understanding of the game quickly became apparent. It wasn’t long before bigger clubs took notice – and so he eventually joined the youth academy of Borussia Dortmund. There, he learned early on what it means to succeed in performance-oriented youth football: daily training, fierce competition, and discipline.

In 2014, another door opened. Felix transferred to FC Bayern Munich. In the youth academy of the record champions, he developed both athletically and mentally. The years in Munich were characterised by intensive training, high expectations, and the experience of having to prove himself anew every day. Playing time with FC Bayern’s reserve team in the Regionalliga (fourth division) provided him with valuable match experience – and gave him a sense of what it means to take responsibility on the pitch.

The step into professional football came in 2018 with his move to FC Augsburg. For the first time, he breathed Bundesliga air, for the first time he stood on the big stage. It was a period full of learning: new speed, new intensity, new roles. To play regularly and further develop, Felix Götze then consciously chose the path of a loan to 1. FC Kaiserslautern. At the Betzenberg stadium, he experienced football in its most emotional form – loud, passionate, demanding. Another important step followed at Rot-Weiss Essen. Initially on loan, later signed permanently, Götze found consistency and trust there. He became a regular starter, took on responsibility, and increasingly grew into a leadership role. His performances showed that he could not only play but also actively contribute to a team.

Felix Götze has been under contract with SC Paderborn 07 since the summer of 2024. He quickly established himself as a key player in the 2. Bundesliga – not only through his presence in defence, but also through his personality. The captaincy bestowed upon him is an expression of trust and recognition. It demonstrates that the talented young player has long since become a leader.