New season, same Bayer Leverkusen! Xabi Alonso's side leave it late AGAIN as they score an 88th-minute equaliser before beating Stuttgart on penalties to win the German Super Cup
- Bayer Leverkusen won Saturday's German Super Cup final against Stuttgart
- Xabi Alonso's side needed an 88th-minute equaliser to force a penalty shootout
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A key characteristic of the Bayer Leverkusen side that won the Bundesliga and German Cup double without losing a single domestic game last season was their ability to score late goals.
Leverkusen scored seven equalising goals beyond the 85th minute in all competitions in the final three months of their remarkable 2023-24 campaign.
On Saturday, Xabi Alonso's men continued where they left off by producing a dramatic turnaround to beat Stuttgart in the German Super Cup final.
Stuttgart, who qualified for the one-off game by pipping Bayern Munich to second place in the Bundesliga last season, were leading 2-1 with 87 minutes and 43 seconds on the clock.
But Leverkusen, despite being down to 10 men, then levelled the contest at 2-2 thanks to a composed finish from Patrik Schick.
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso pictured lifting the German Super Cup on Saturday
Leverkusen have now lifted three trophies in four months after winning the double last season
But Leverkusen were losing the Super Cup final until Patrik Schick equalised in the 88th minute
Stuttgart played well but eventually lost in a penalty shootout following a dramatic 2-2 draw
Leverkusen's players pictured posing for a team photo after winning the German Super Cup
Schick then found the net again during a penalty shootout, as did Leverkusen's three other spot-kick takers, while Frans Kratzig and Silas both failed to convert their efforts for Stuttgart.
Victor Boniface had earlier got Leverkusen off to a fine start when he fired the German champions in front after just 11 minutes.
But Enzo Millot drew Stuttgart level four minutes later before Martin Terrier was shown a straight red card towards the end of the first half for a studs-up challenge.
Stuttgart bossed possession following Terrier's dismissal and hit the woodwork three times.
They deservedly went ahead in the 63rd minute when former Brighton striker Deniz Undav scored his 20th goal for his current club within seconds of coming off the bench.
But Leverkusen stayed in the game and eventually did just enough to walk away with their third trophy in four months.
