Bayer Leverkusen became the ninth side to lift the DFL-Supercup after coming out on top 4-3 on penalties after a feisty 2-2 draw with VfB Stuttgart – the first edition of this fixture not to feature Bayern Munich since 2011.
Having managed to hold onto of each of their superstars – and manager Xabi Alonso – from their record-breaking domestically unbeaten campaign, Leverkusen kicked off on the front foot at the BayArena, going ahead just past the 10-minute mark through Victor Boniface, who tapped in after Edmond Tapsoba’s back-post header.
However, coming off a sensational season of their own were Stuttgart, who took less than five minutes to equalise when Enzo Millot swept into the far corner to cap off a silky move.
Taking part in the Supercup thanks to pipping Bayern Munich to second place on the final day of the season, Stuttgart continued to display their credentials against the champions, striking the woodwork no less than three times in the remainder of a frantic first period.
Ermedin Demirović was first up after racing away on the break, and he was soon the recipient of a high challenge from Martin Terrier which saw the Frenchman sent off – Leverkusen’s first straight red card of the season having not received any in 2023/24.
Both Millot and Pascal Stenzel hit the bar to round off the half, with the former’s attempt bouncing agonisingly onto the goal-line and out.
Proceedings were more muted following the restart, but substitutions from Sebastian Hoeneß injected new purpose into Stuttgart.
Frans Krätzig was one of those, and with virtually his first touch sent it across goal for Undav to bundle in – justifying the striker’s bumper fee paid to secure him on a permanent deal.
Naturally, the hosts sought to respond, and Alexander Nübel had to be on top form to stop Jeff Chabot from deflecting into his own net, before Jeanuël Belocian and Jeremie Frimpong failed to find the target between them with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Tempers flared in the late stages, but Leverkusen seized control and produced a characteristic late show. Alejandro Grimaldo slipped it through to Patrik Schick, who made no mistake in burying it inside the near post. That strike sent it straight to penalties, where both sides netted their two openers, but a save from Lukas Hradecky off Krätzig and a miss from Silas ensured heartbreak for Stuttgart and ecstasy around the BayArena.
Having not been beaten in domestic football at all last campaign, Leverkusen avoided defeat at the first hurdle by the skin of their teeth, and lifted the Supercup for the very first time as a result.
