Ten-man Bayer Leverkusen triumphed over Stuttgart 4-3 in a penalty shootout to clinch the season-opening German Super Cup on Saturday, marking their first-ever victory in the competition.
Victor Boniface put Leverkusen ahead in the 11th minute, but Stuttgart quickly responded as Enzo Millot equalized just four minutes later.
Leverkusen faced a setback shortly before halftime when Martin Terrier was sent off for a dangerous tackle, reducing them to 10 men.
Stuttgart took the lead in the second half through Deniz Undav, but Patrik Schick struck with only two minutes remaining, sending the match to penalties.
In the shootout, Bayern Munich loanee Frans Kraetzig and Silas Mvumpa missed their penalties, while Leverkusen converted all of theirs.
After the match, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso praised his team’s “huge spirit,” particularly their resilience in the final minutes despite being a man down.
This curtain-raiser, traditionally pitting the Bundesliga champions against the Cup winners or league runners-up, was notable for being the first since 1993 not to feature either Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund.
Stuttgart, who narrowly avoided relegation last season before surging to second place ahead of Bayern, had a turbulent summer with several key players departing.
Leverkusen, unbeaten in the Bundesliga and German Cup double last season, managed to retain their key players and started the match strongly. Boniface opened the scoring by tapping in a goal-bound header from Edmond Tapsoba after 11 minutes.
However, Stuttgart responded quickly, with French Olympic silver medallist Millot slotting a pass from Chris Fuehrich through a crowded penalty area into the bottom right corner.
Both teams exchanged opportunities before Terrier was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Ermedin Demirovic. In response, coach Xabi Alonso substituted Boniface for German defender Jonathan Tah, but Stuttgart dominated the remainder of the first half, with Millot and Pascal Stenzel both coming close to scoring a second.
In the second half, Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness introduced Undav and Kraetzig from the bench, and the duo combined to give Stuttgart the lead, with the former Brighton striker tapping in on the counterattack.
Leverkusen, known for their late goals last season, struck again in the dying moments when Alex Grimaldo set up Schick, who powered the ball into the net with just two minutes left on the clock.
With the match level at the final whistle, it went straight to penalties without extra time. Leverkusen, unbeaten domestically since May 2023, were flawless in the shootout, securing the Super Cup.
