VFB stumbles in pre-Supercup mock game as they fail to score the Woltemade goal. - VfB's training session for the Supercup was flawed, leading to an unscored goal by Woltemade
Franz-Beckenbauer Supercup: VfB Stuttgart and FC Bayern Munich Set to Clash
The traditional season-opener in German football, the Franz-Beckenbauer Supercup, will see VfB Stuttgart and FC Bayern Munich go head-to-head on the pitch. The Supercup, which pits the Bundesliga champion against the DFB-Pokal winner, will mark the first competitive meeting between these two teams in the 2025 season [1][2][3][4].
This year's Supercup holds a special significance as it is named in honour of Franz Beckenbauer, a footballing legend whose impact on the sport remains unparalleled. The tribute underscores the Supercup's importance in German football culture, not just as a curtain-raiser, but as a celebration of tradition and excellence [1][3][4].
Historically, Bayern Munich has dominated the rivalry, with 95 victories compared to Stuttgart’s 38. Bayern are also the record holders for Supercup wins, having claimed the title eight times in 13 appearances. Stuttgart, on the other hand, are relative newcomers to the Supercup scene, having made their second appearance this year [1][5].
The Supercup has often set the tone for the season ahead, with Bayern aiming to reinforce their supremacy early on, while Stuttgart looks to prove they can compete with Germany’s football elite. The game is more than a ceremonial event, serving as a competitive indicator for fans, players, and pundits alike [1][5].
In the final warm-up game before the Supercup, VfB Stuttgart faced FC Bologna and suffered a 0:1 defeat. The game, which served as a dress rehearsal for the Supercup, saw a number of key players absent due to injuries. Goalkeeper Alexander Nübel and defender Angelo Stiller were both sidelined due to elbow discomfort and an ankle injury, respectively [6].
Despite the loss, there were standout performances from some players. Fabian Bredlow, who played in goal during the game against FC Bologna, put in a strong performance, suggesting he might start in the Supercup clash against Bayern next Saturday [7].
Nick Woltemade, the U21 European Championship runner-up and national team striker, played for VfB Stuttgart in the game against FC Bologna. However, his outing was marred by an unlucky own goal in the 32nd minute, which led to Martin Vitik scoring the winning goal for FC Bologna [6].
Despite the own goal, Woltemade had an engaged performance throughout the game. There has been no new update on the transfer situation for Woltemade, as stated by VfB's sporting director, Fabian Wohlgemuth. Max Eberl, Bayern's sporting director, has suggested that Woltemade might stay with VfB Stuttgart for another year [8].
The transfer saga for Woltemade remains unresolved, with VfB Stuttgart having rejected offers from FC Bayern. Woltemade missed a chance to put Stuttgart ahead in the 17th minute, but a potential goal from him in the 57th minute was disallowed for offside [6].
As the Supercup approaches, both teams will be looking to make a strong start to the new season. The game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to prove their mettle.
[1] https://www.dfb.de/news/dfb-pokal-sieger-vfb-stuttgart-gegen-bundesliga-meister-fc-bayern-muechen-im-franz-beckenbauer-supercup [2] https://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/dfb-pokal/dfb-pokal-sieger-vfb-stuttgart-gegen-bundesliga-meister-fc-bayern-muechen-im-franz-beckenbauer-supercup-2025-1071280.html [3] https://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/franz-beckenbauer-supercup-2025-dfb-pokal-sieger-vfb-stuttgart-gegen-bundesliga-meister-fc-bayern-muechen-a-30380792.html [4] https://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/franz-beckenbauer-supercup-vfb-stuttgart-gegen-fc-bayern-muechen-1.5749061 [5] https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/franz-beckenbauer-supercup-vfb-stuttgart-and-fc-bayern-munich-set-to-clash [6] https://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/dfb-pokal/vfb-stuttgart-verliert-letzte-testpartie-gegen-fc-bologna-1071278.html [7] https://www.sport1.de/fussball/bundesliga/vfb-stuttgart/bredlow-im-supercup-gegen-bayern-wahrscheinlich-erstmals-im-tor-116716749.html [8] https://www.sport1.de/fussball/bundesliga/vfb-stuttgart/woltemade-bleibt-bei-vfb-stuttgart-116716747.html
The Commission, in light of the upcoming Franz-Beckenbauer Supercup, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in football stadiums.
In the spirit of European football leagues, the champions of the Champions League, Real Madrid, are rumored to be considering Bayern Munich's defensive midfielder, Joshua Kimmich, as a potential signing in the upcoming transfer window, bringing a new dimension to the footballing landscape.
