10-men Bayer Leverkusen beat Stuttgart to claim German Super Cup tittle

Bayer Leverkusen claimed their first-ever German Super Cup title in a thrilling match against Stuttgart, which ended in a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory on Saturday.

Despite being reduced to ten men, Leverkusen displayed incredible resilience to secure the win and start their season with silverware.

The match began with an early goal from Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface in the 11th minute, setting the pace for what would be a fiercely contested encounter. Stuttgart responded swiftly, with Enzo Millot leveling the score just four minutes later, showing that they were not going to be easily outdone.

Leverkusen’s challenge intensified when Martin Terrier received a red card shortly before halftime for a dangerous tackle, leaving them a man down for the remainder of the match. Stuttgart capitalized on their numerical advantage in the second half, with Deniz Undav giving them the lead.

However, Leverkusen refused to back down. Patrik Schick, showing his knack for clutch moments, equalized with just two minutes left on the clock, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.

In the ensuing shootout, Leverkusen kept their cool, converting four of their penalties while Stuttgart fell just short, securing a historic victory for the Leverkusen side.

Bayern Munich loanee Frans Kraetzig and Silas Mvumpa missed from the spot while Leverkusen converted all of their penalties.

“When you play against 10 men and are leading, you can’t lose. Small mistakes are punished,” Undav told Sat.1.

The season curtain-raiser, which puts the Bundesliga champions up against the Cup winners or league runners-up, was the first not to feature either Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund since 1993.

Stuttgart’s stunning effort last season, where the club went from a narrow relegation escape to second place ahead of Bayern, preceded a summer of upheaval as several star players left.

Unbeaten winners of the Bundesliga and German Cup double last campaign, Leverkusen had managed to avoid any major departures and started stronger on Saturday.

Boniface tapped in a goal-bound header from Edmond Tapsoba after 11 minutes.

The visitors levelled just four minutes later, French Olympic silver medallist Millot cutting a pass from Chris Fuehrich through a crowded penalty area and into the bottom right corner.

The sides traded chances before off-season addition Terrier dug his studs into Ermedin Demirovic’s ankle and was swiftly sent from the pitch.

Coach Xabi Alonso hooked Boniface for Germany defender Jonathan Tah almost immediately but Stuttgart dominated before half-time, Millot and Pascal Stenzel both going inches away from scoring a second.

Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness brought on Undav and Kraetzig from the bench and the duo combined to give the visitors the lead one minute later when the former Brighton striker tapped in on the counter.

Known for turning matches with late goals last season, Leverkusen again broke through in the dying stages, Alex Grimaldo finding Schick who powered the ball home with just two minutes remaining.

The match went straight to penalties without extra time and Leverkusen — who have not lost a match domestically since May 2023 — were faultless.