LEVERKUSEN, AUG 18: Ten-man Bayer Leverkusen beat Stuttgart 4-3 on penalties in the season-opening German Super Cup on Saturday, winning the trophy for the first time.
Victor Boniface's 11th-minute goal was cancelled out four minutes later when Stuttgart's Enzo Millot levelled.
Leverkusen were then reduced to 10 men shortly before half-time when Martin Terrier saw red for a dangerous tackle.
Deniz Undav gave Stuttgart the lead in the second half but Patrik Schick scored with two minutes remaining to equalise for Leverkusen and send the match to penalties.
Bayern Munich loanee Frans Kraetzig and Silas Mvumpa missed from the spot while Leverkusen converted all of their penalties.
"What we did in the last 10 or 15 minutes, with a man down, to score the equaliser it was unbelievable," Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso said after the match, praising his side's "huge spirit". "I'm happy with the way we kicked off the season -- we've got this spirit back". —AFP
