After the red for the newcomer Terrier

©IMAGO

First competitive match, first title – series winner Bayer 04 Leverkusen started the new season successfully thanks to their old last-minute strength. The two-time winner, unbeaten on the domestic stage last season, won the Supercup for the first time in club history despite a long numerical inferiority in the penalty shootout 6:5 (2:2, 1:1) against VfB Stuttgart. There was no extra time.

In front of 30,210 spectators in a sold-out BayArena, Victor Boniface (11th minute) put the hosts in front. VfB initially turned the situation around with goals from Enzo Millot (15th minute) and Deniz Undav (63rd minute), before Patrik Schick (88th minute) forced the decision from the spot.

Despite newcomer Martin Terrier’s red card (37th), coach Xabi Alonso’s Werkself averted the threat of a first competitive defeat against a championship rival in 15 months.

In the penalty shootout, Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky saved Frans Krätzig and Silas Katompa Mvumpa shot over the goal. The strong Swabians missed out on their second success in this competition since 1992 and their first title since the championship 17 years ago. Despite better chances, a possible coup in Leverkusen was denied them.