CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | SC Paderborn 07 |
| League | Bundesliga |
| Manager | Ralf Kettemann |
| Stadium | Home Deluxe Arena |
| Nickname | SCP |
| Founded | 1907 |
| Defensive Leader | Laurin Curda |
| Key Departure | Calvin Brackelmann (FC Augsburg) |
| Summer Arrival | Jano ter Horst (Preußen Münster) |
| Defining Trait | A back three built on promotion heroes and lower-league gambles |
The Defining Moment
Paderborn’s return to the Bundesliga after a six-year absence was always going to test the defensive structure that had secured promotion. The back three that Kettemann had assembled was built for the 2. Bundesliga: compact, aggressive, and reliant on the leadership of players who had grown together through the promotion campaign. The question was whether that same structure could withstand the step up in quality.
The defining departure arrived early. Calvin Brackelmann, a pillar of the promotion-winning defence, left for FC Augsburg, leaving a void in the left-sided centre-back position . The response was measured rather than extravagant. Jano ter Horst arrived from Preußen Münster for a modest fee, a player whose versatility across the back line and right flank offered Kettemann the flexibility he valued . Around him, the core remained: Laurin Curda, the right-sided defender whose promotion campaign had been extraordinary; Tjark Scheller, the central anchor; and Mattes Hansen, the young defender whose development had been accelerated by necessity.
The defining tension of Paderborn’s defensive season is therefore one of adaptation. The back three that performed so admirably in the 2. Bundesliga has been retained almost intact, but the quality of opposition has changed fundamentally. By late October, Paderborn had conceded nine goals in eight Bundesliga matches—a rate of 1.13 per game that placed them mid-table defensively and reflected a structure that was coping, if not thriving, with the step up . The clean sheets against Mainz and Hamburger SV demonstrated that the organisation Kettemann demands could work at this level. The three conceded at Dortmund exposed the gap between Paderborn’s resources and the elite.
This is the story of Paderborn’s 2026/27 defenders: a promotion hero carrying the leadership burden, a lower-league arrival providing the flexibility, and a back three whose collective understanding has been the foundation of an unexpectedly competitive Bundesliga start.
Tactical Context
Kettemann’s Paderborn is built on a 3-4-3 that becomes a 3-1-4-2 or 3-5-2 depending on the opponent and the availability of personnel. The three-man defence is the constant: Curda on the right, Scheller in the centre, and a rotating cast on the left. The wing-backs are expected to provide width in possession and retreat to form a five-man line without the ball. It is a system that demands intelligence and positional discipline, and Paderborn’s defenders have been selected accordingly.
The early-season numbers reveal a defence that has been organised rather than overwhelmed. Paderborn faced 21 shots in their opening draw at Mainz but conceded none; they restricted Hamburger SV to a single goal in a 1-0 victory; and they held Werder Bremen to a 2-2 draw despite facing sustained pressure . The expected goals against figures suggested a structure that was limiting the quality of chances rather than merely the quantity, and the goalkeeping performances of Nahuel Noll provided the last line of resistance when the structure was breached.
The tactical question Kettemann has navigated is how to compensate for the departure of Brackelmann without losing the cohesion that the promotion campaign had established. Ter Horst’s arrival provided a solution: his ability to cover the right flank and central defence gave Kettemann the flexibility to rotate without significant drop-off . The emergence of Mattes Hansen as a reliable option in the back three further eased the burden, and the return of Felix Götze from injury offered additional depth.
The Defenders
Laurin Curda
Curda is the defensive leader and the most important player in Paderborn’s back line. The 24-year-old right-sided defender was one of the outstanding performers of the promotion campaign, winning 13.3 duels per match, posting the best one-on-one numbers in the 2. Bundesliga, and scoring the decisive playoff goal against Wolfsburg . His transition to the Bundesliga has been seamless: he started every league match in the opening months, wore the captain’s armband in the absence of other leaders, and remained the one constant in a rotation that has shifted around him .
His profile is that of a modern, versatile defender. Curda can operate as a right-back, a right wing-back, or the right-sided centre-back in a three-man line—a versatility that Kettemann has exploited depending on the opponent. His defensive intelligence and his ability to read the game compensate for a lack of elite pace, and his willingness to engage in duels sets the tone for the back line. At 24, he is entering his prime, and his importance to Paderborn’s survival hopes cannot be overstated.
Tjark Scheller
Scheller is the central anchor of the back three, a 23-year-old whose composure and positioning have made him indispensable to Kettemann’s structure. His partnership with Curda is the foundation upon which Paderborn’s defensive organisation is built, and his aerial presence offers a counterbalance to the more mobile defenders around him.
His profile is that of a traditional, no-nonsense centre-back. Scheller is strong in the tackle, dominant in the air, and positionally disciplined. He is not the most comfortable defender in possession, and his distribution under pressure can be functional rather than refined, but his defensive solidity provides the platform for the more technical players in the team.
Mattes Hansen
Hansen is the young defender whose development has been accelerated by the demands of the Bundesliga. The 22-year-old has featured in the back three alongside Curda and Scheller, his energy and willingness to engage making him a valuable option within a structure that demands constant movement and communication.
His profile is that of a developing, front-foot defender. Hansen is quick, aggressive, and capable of covering ground in wide areas. His positioning and decision-making remain works in progress, and he can be exposed by experienced forwards, but his potential is significant. At 22, he represents both an immediate solution and a long-term investment.
Jano ter Horst
Ter Horst is the summer arrival whose versatility has proven invaluable. The 25-year-old arrived from Preußen Münster for approximately €200,000, a modest fee for a player whose ability to cover the right flank and central defence gave Kettemann badly needed flexibility . His pre-season performances—including an 87th-minute bicycle-kick equalizer against Southampton and a stoppage-time winner—announced him as more than a squad filler.
His profile is that of a utility defender whose value lies in his adaptability. Ter Horst is not the most physically imposing presence, but his reading of the game and his willingness to fill whatever role Kettemann demands make him a trusted option. For a player who arrived looking like inexpensive depth, his introduction to the Bundesliga has been one of the quiet successes of the season.
Felix Götze
Götze is the experienced option in central defence, a 28-year-old whose Bundesliga know-how offers a contrast to the younger defenders around him. His injury record has limited his availability, but when fit, he provides a composure and positional intelligence that the more athletic options lack.
Niklas Mohr and Kevin Krumme
Mohr, a young defender, and Krumme, a 22-year-old centre-back, provide additional depth across the back line . Their opportunities at Bundesliga level have been limited, but their presence ensures that Kettemann has cover when injuries or suspensions disrupt the preferred XI.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: Paderborn Defender Bundesliga Statistics (2026/27)
TABLE B: Paderborn Defensive Unit – Key Metrics (2026/27)
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Conceded per Match | 1.13 | After 8 matches |
| Clean Sheets | 2 | Mainz, Hamburger SV |
| Record | 2W-3D-3L | 14th in Bundesliga |
| Goals Conceded vs Dortmund | 3 | Exposed gap to elite |
TABLE C: Defender Career Context & Pedigree
| Player | Nationality | Previous Clubs | Style Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurin Curda | Germany | Paderborn Academy | Versatile, duel-winning, leader |
| Tjark Scheller | Germany | Paderborn | Physical, aerial, positionally sound |
| Mattes Hansen | Germany | Paderborn Academy | Energetic, developing, front-foot |
| Jano ter Horst | Germany | Preußen Münster | Versatile, adaptable, squad option |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Paderborn’s defensive unit reflects the club’s broader approach under Kettemann and sporting director Sebastian Lange: continuity over upheaval, faith in the players who secured promotion, and targeted investment in lower-league talent to fill specific gaps. The decision to retain Curda, Scheller, and Hansen rather than overhaul the back line was a calculated gamble on cohesion over individual quality.
The early-season evidence suggests the gamble has been largely justified. Paderborn’s defensive record is respectable for a newly promoted side, and the clean sheets against Mainz and Hamburger SV demonstrated that the structure can work at Bundesliga level . The defeats to Dortmund and Stuttgart exposed the gap between Paderborn’s resources and the established elite, but the back line was rarely the primary culprit.
The vulnerability identified by analysts is the lack of proven depth in central defence. Behind Curda, Scheller, and Hansen, the options are limited. Götze’s injury record is a concern, and Mohr and Krumme are untested at this level. If either starting centre-back suffers a significant injury, Kettemann’s rotation becomes considerably more constrained.
The Verdict from the Camp
OneFootball, on Laurin Curda:
“Laurin Curda is one of Paderborn’s surest Bundesliga starters. The 24-year-old emerged as one of the outstanding performers of the promotion campaign, winning a remarkable 13.3 duels per match, posting the best one-on-one numbers in the 2. Bundesliga, taking more shots than any teammate and, for good measure, scoring the decisive playoff goal against Wolfsburg.”
OneFootball, on Jano ter Horst:
“Ter Horst, a €200,000 arrival from Preußen Münster, spent much of camp being shuffled into emergency service in the back three as injuries mounted… his ability to cover the right flank and central defense gave Kettemann badly needed flexibility.”
Where Next?
Paderborn’s defensive priority is clear: they need Curda to stay fit and maintain his leadership, and they need the supporting cast to provide reliable cover. The back three that secured promotion has adapted to the Bundesliga with commendable resilience, but the margin for error in a relegation battle is unforgiving.
The development of Hansen is the most intriguing subplot. If the 22-year-old can establish himself as a consistent starter alongside Curda and Scheller, Paderborn possess a defensive core capable of serving the club beyond this season. If he cannot, the reliance on the aging Götze and the untested Mohr and Krumme becomes even more precarious.
The January window may offer an opportunity to add defensive depth, but Paderborn’s financial constraints and the summer’s investment in attacking reinforcements suggest that significant spending at the back is unlikely. Kettemann must work with what he has: a promotion hero anchoring the line, a lower-league arrival providing the flexibility, and a back three whose collective understanding has been the foundation of an unexpectedly competitive Bundesliga campaign.
For now, Paderborn’s defenders are a unit built on continuity and pragmatism: a leader who cannot be replaced, a supporting cast of promotion winners and lower-league gambles, and a back line whose organisation has given the club a fighting chance of achieving the unthinkable—survival in the Bundesliga for the first time in their history.
