Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart – DFB Super Cup – Preview, Team News and Updates

2024-08-16 ScoreWaves Staff

While many of Europe’s top leagues kick off their seasons this weekend, the German Bundesliga won’t start until the following week. However, if you're eager to get a taste of German football, the DFB Super Cup might just be the fix you need.

Newly crowned German champions Bayer Leverkusen faces off against Stuttgart in the DFB Super Cup, which takes place on 18th August. Both the clubs enjoyed a very successful 2023/24 campaign, finishing the Bundesliga season above perpetual champions, Bayern Munich. As a result, they will face each other in the German curtain raiser on Sunday. So, which team will begin their 2024/25 campaign with a trophy?

Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart – Match Preview

Many thought that the 2023/24 Bundesliga season would just be another boring season, with Bayern Munich winning the Meisterschale in its conclusion. However, those fans couldn’t have been more wrong. The 2023/24 season served up a lot of surprises. Bayern failed to win the title for the first time in eleven seasons. Instead, it was Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen who emerged victorious, finishing the season undefeated and snatching the crown from Bayern's grasp.

The 2023/24 Bundesliga title was the first in Bayer Leverkusen’s long and illustrious history. They always came close to the title, but always fell at the last hurdle. Not this time around. Moreover, they complete the German double by clinching the DFB Pokal too. Bayer were finally able to overcome the label of “Neverkusen.” However, due to Alonso’s success at Leverkusen, he was linked to the managerial position of several elite clubs like Bayern Munich and Liverpool. But Alonso remained loyal to Bayer and committed his immediate future to the club.

Furthermore, key players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Alex Grimaldo and Granit Xhaka have all remained at the club. Having said that, Xabi Alonso’s men have had an underwhelming preseason, winning only one of their four preseason friendlies. Despite this, Die Schwarzroten will be keen to kick off their campaign with a trophy.

Stuttgart also had a truly remarkable season. However, their achievements were overshadowed by Leverkusen’s “Invincibles” season. They finished above Bayern Munich in second place with 73 points, marking a 40-point improvement from the previous season. This impressive performance secured Stuttgart a spot in the Champions League for the first time since the 2009/10 season. Sebastian Hoeness has worked wonders since he took charge of the club in April 2023.

Stuttgart were in a relegation dogfight when Hoeness took over. However, 13 points from eight league games propelled Die Roten to the relegation playoffs, where they defeated Hamburg by an aggregate of 6-1. Last season, Die Roten netted 78 goals while conceding just 39, making them the Bundesliga's third-best attacking team and tying for the second-best defense. Stuttgart’s pre-season form has been impressive as well, winning five of their six friendlies, including a commanding 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on August 10.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Stuttgart – Team News and Updates

Ahead of the Super Cup final, Xabi Alonso will have a full roster at his disposal and is likely to field his strongest possible lineup. Expect to see stalwarts like Jonathan Tah, Alex Grimaldo, and Piero Hincapie anchoring the defense, with new signing Aleix Garcia potentially making an impact in the second half.

For Stuttgart, they’ll have to manage without top scorer Serhou Guirassy and defender Hiroki Ito, who’ve moved to Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, respectively. New striker Ermedin Demirovic, along with Deniz Undav, will be key in trying to fill Guirassy's shoes and replicate his goal-scoring prowess. Dan-Axel Zagadou, who’s been sidelined since January with a cruciate ligament injury, won’t be available for the match.