Ten-man Bayer Leverkusen beat Stuttgart 4-3 on penalties within the season-opening German Super Cup on Saturday, profitable the trophy for the primary time. Victor Boniface’s Eleventh-minute aim was cancelled out 4 minutes later when Stuttgart’s Enzo Millot levelled. Leverkusen had been then diminished to 10 males shortly earlier than half-time when Martin Terrier noticed purple 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 “big spirit”.
“I’m pleased with the way in which we kicked off the season — we have this spirit again”.
The season curtain-raiser, which places the Bundesliga champions up towards 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.
“Before the sport, we did not actually know the place we stand this season,” Stuttgart supervisor Sebastian Hoeness instructed reporters after the sport.
“So for us it was a transparent signal that we’re once more getting into the proper route.”
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 reducing a move from Chris Fuehrich by way of a crowded penalty space and into the underside proper nook.
The sides 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 nearly 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.
Known for turning matches with late targets final season, Leverkusen once more broke by way of within the dying phases, Alex Grimaldo discovering Schick who powered the ball dwelling with simply two minutes remaining.
The match went straight to penalties with out additional time and Leverkusen — who haven’t misplaced a match domestically since May 2023 — had been faultless.
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