Leverkusen defeat Stuttgart on penalties to win German Tremendous Cup

Lukas Hradecky of Bayer 04 Leverkusen lifts the DFL Supercup Trophy after his crew’s victory within the DFL Supercup 2024 match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart on August 17, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany.
| Picture Credit score: Getty Pictures

Ten-man Bayer Leverkusen beat Stuttgart 4-3 on penalties within the season-opening German Tremendous Cup on Saturday, profitable the trophy for the primary time.

Victor Boniface’s Eleventh-minute objective was cancelled out 4 minutes later when Stuttgart’s Enzo Millot levelled.

Leverkusen have been then decreased to 10 males shortly earlier than half-time when Martin Terrier noticed pink for a harmful sort out.

Deniz Undav gave Stuttgart the lead within the second half however Patrik Schick scored with two minutes remaining to equalise for Leverkusen and ship the match to penalties.

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

“What we did within the final 10 or quarter-hour, with a person down, to attain the equaliser — it was unbelievable,” Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso mentioned after the match, praising his facet’s “large spirit”.

“I am proud of the way in which we kicked off the season — we have this spirit again”.

The season curtain-raiser, which places the Bundesliga champions up in opposition to the Cup winners or league runners-up, was the primary to not characteristic both Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund since 1993.

Stuttgart’s gorgeous effort final season, the place the membership went from a slim relegation escape to second place forward of Bayern, preceded a summer season of upheaval as a number of star gamers left.

“Earlier than the sport, we did not actually know the place we stand this season,” Stuttgart supervisor Sebastian Hoeness advised reporters after the sport.

“So for us it was a transparent signal that we’re once more getting into the proper path.”

Unbeaten winners of the Bundesliga and German Cup double final marketing campaign, Leverkusen had managed to keep away from any main departures and began stronger on Saturday.

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

The guests levelled simply 4 minutes later, French Olympic silver medallist Millot chopping a go from Chris Fuehrich by means of a crowded penalty space and into the underside proper nook.

The edges traded probabilities earlier than low season addition Terrier dug his studs into Ermedin Demirovic’s ankle and was swiftly despatched from the pitch.

Coach Xabi Alonso hooked Boniface for Germany defender Jonathan Tah virtually instantly however Stuttgart dominated earlier than half-time, Millot and Pascal Stenzel each going inches away from scoring a second.

Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness introduced on Undav and Kraetzig from the bench and the duo mixed to provide the guests the lead one minute later when the previous Brighton striker tapped in on the counter.

Recognized for turning matches with late objectives final season, Leverkusen once more broke by means of within the dying levels, Alex Grimaldo discovering Schick who powered the ball house with simply two minutes remaining.

The match went straight to penalties with out further time and Leverkusen — who haven’t misplaced a match domestically since Might 2023 — have been faultless.