Ten-man Bayer Leverkusen defeat Stuttgart on penalties to win German Super Cup

LEVERKUSEN – Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso was pleased with his team’s “big spirit” as a 10-man side beat Stuttgart 4-3 on penalties in the season-opening German Super Cup on Aug 17, winning the trophy for the first time.

Victor Boniface’s 11th-minute goal was cancelled out four minutes later when Stuttgart’s Enzo Millot levelled.

Leverkusen were then reduced to 10 men shortly before half-time when Martin Terrier saw red for a dangerous tackle.

Deniz Undav gave Stuttgart the lead in the second half, but Patrik Schick scored with two minutes remaining to equalise for Leverkusen at 2-2 and send the match to penalties.

Bayern Munich loanee Frans Kratzig and Silas missed from the spot, while Leverkusen converted all their penalties to win 4-3 at the BayArena.

“What we did in the last 10 or 15 minutes, with a man down, to score the equaliser – it was unbelievable,” Alonso said.

“I’m happy with the way we kicked off the season. We’ve got this spirit back, we showed once again how big our spirit is. Even though we went 2-1 down in the second half, we were patient and planned to only go full throttle and press for the last 15 minutes. We did that brilliantly, the team was great.”

The season curtain-raiser, which pits the Bundesliga champions against the German Cup winners or league runners-up, was the first not to feature either Bayern 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.

“Before the game, we didn’t really know where we stand this season,” Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness said. “So for us it was a clear sign that we’re again going in the right direction.”

Unbeaten winners of the Bundesliga and German Cup double last campaign before losing the Europa League final, Leverkusen had managed to avoid any major departures and started stronger in the match with Boniface’s early goal.

The visitors levelled with French Olympic silver medallist Millot cutting a pass from Chris Fuhrich through a crowded penalty area and firing 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 off.

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.

Hoeness brought on Undav and Kratzig from the bench and the duo combined to give the visitors the lead one minute later, when the former Brighton & Hove Albion 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. AFP