Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart are both in the German Supercup for the first time since the contest’s return in 2010. Bundesliga champions, Leverkusen, naturally come into the contest as the heavy favourites, following their remarkable 2023/24 campaign.
Historically, the Supercup is played between the Bundesliga champions and the DFB Cup winners. However, since Leverkusen won both competitions, the Bundesliga runners-up are invited to take part. Stuttgart pushed Leverkusen the hardest in the league last term, drawing both of their encounters.
Stuttgart also managed to pip Bayern Munich to second place in the Bundesliga. Sebastian Hoeneß’s men were the surprise package of the league last term, so their big challenge this year will be coping as a known quantity. Stuttgart’s talisman, Denis Undav, scored 18 Bundesliga goals last term – more than Leverkusen’s top scorer, Victor Boniface – and will once again be their main threat.
Fortunately for Leverkusen, the Supercup is played on the home turf of the champions. They are undefeated in their last 40 league and cup games at the BayArena.
Alonso has successfully retained the star men from his double-winning side last season. Bayer have rebuffed bids for the likes of Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah, while adding fresh faces in the shape of the defender, Jeanuel Belocian and a hard-working midfielder, Aleix Garcia.
